I'm Hans Hoogeveen. I'm the ambassador and permanent representative of the Kingdom
of the Netherlands to the U.N. organizations here in Rome.
And before that, I was director general for nine years and vice minister
of agriculture of the Netherlands in the international field of agriculture
and food issues. I have a broad experience in international negotiations in Rome,
in New York and other U.N. capitals. I also have a very broad network,
which I can bring in, for example, when it comes to climate-smart agriculture,
the Alliance for Climate-smart Agriculture, Food Losses, the Champions
12.3, and when it comes to oceans we got the Blue Growth network. Consensus,
of course, is the ultimate goal for an independent chair to achieve. And over
the last four years as chair of the FAO-Committee, you have seen me operating
and I always reach consensus for all the issues within the proper committee. As
you see me operating the last couple of years, you know how much energy I put
in listening to countries, trying to build bridges, trying to find compromises
and especially being respectful to all involved in the negotiations. I think I'm
in the position to be an effective and efficient independent chair.
As independent chair three things will be crucial for me. First, to have a strong
emphasis on inclusiveness. Inclusiveness is crucial because all member states
should not only feel involved in the negotiations, but should also be committed
to the consensus and the implementation of the decisions. That's why it's
so important to connect and to make sure that all voices are heard. It also means
that you have to see how we can implement the results of the negotiations. Now,
for example, I chaired the informal consultations on the 10 elements
of agri-equality, a very important issue. And with that consensus, we have now
a firm basis for further implementing equality in the policy framework of FAO.
Secondly, finding new innovative approaches in facing the challenges
we have nowadays with food insecurity. And that means that we need to find new
approaches, for example, for food losses. That's why I'm working with FAO
and the World Bank on setting up a global investment mechanism for facilitating
investments of the private and public sector in the field of food losses.
Building more resilient, sustainable food systems. Thirdly, of course,
being independent. Meaning facilitating a matchmaking the process with members,
management and the director general. As independent chair on the council
of the FAO, I will do my utmost with all my energy to raise the profile of FAO.
And to raise the political commitment to implement SDG 2 in order to make
our shared dream of a world without hunger and leaving nobody behind become a reality