Dr. Dongyu Qu

Dr. Qu Dongyu, the ninth Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), assumed office on August 1, 2019, and was re-elected for a second four-year term on July 2, 2023. During his initial tenure, he initiated transformative reforms to enhance FAO's efficiency and effectiveness, advocating for the Four Betters: improved production, nutrition, environment, and quality of life, aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr. Qu introduced six core initiatives, including the Hand-in-Hand Initiative to accelerate agrifood system transformations, the 1000-Digital Villages Initiative for rural digital innovation, and the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Initiative to empower smallholders. He also championed the Green Cities, One Health, and Blue Transformation Initiatives. Before FAO, Dr. Qu held prominent roles in China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and led efforts in technology inclusion and specialty production areas. With a background in agricultural sciences and environmental studies, he has collaborated globally to combat hunger and poverty. Dr. Qu's leadership philosophy emphasizes a "Simple life, but not simple work".