Matt Bechdol

Pleased to brief @UN Security Council w/ AGRICULTURE on the agenda! It's a solution to #climatechange & #conflict threats & food security impacts. When farmers, pastoralists, fisherfolk, foresters are most vulnerable, they can't feed the world. WE can't leave them behind! #UNSC

Wonderful to meet the Makweyas here in #Malawi! Since 2019, they grew their banana orchard from 1 to 3 hectares, boosted their annual income by $3000 & created jobs & education opportunities for their community. What comes next? ...storage, processing, and a cooperative. #OCOP

A big day for @FAO! A packed house at our "Status of Women in Agrifood Systems" event at @USAID. @PowerUSAID & other US partners affirm agrifood systems must work better for women. We need better policies & serious investments to achieve #GenderEquality. Women deserve STATUS!

Message for aid groups to consider farmer losses and not just focus on providing food aid to developing nations - @BethBechdol from @FAO at the Singapore agrifood week hosted by @Temasek - awesome to see a woman speaking among all these male leaders too! 🤩 Beth you’re awesome!

Had candid conversation w/ H.E. Al-Sayed el-Quseir, Egypt's Minister of Agriculture & Land Reclamation 🇪🇬. We agree to: 🔸continue investing in #agriculture & key value chains 🔸scale-up Fall Armyworm control 🔸improve access to ag #innovation 🔸enhance linkages w/private sector

We risk facing a food access crisis now and a food availability and affordability crisis in a few months. We need people-centred approaches, investments and to use science, innovation and tech to accelerate agrifood systems transformation. Let's do more and better together. #UNGA

What an honor to see @FAO take part in the @ClintonGlobal initiative – placing food & agriculture high on the agenda. More attention and longer-term investments are needed to support farmers and agrifood systems around the world. Let’s focus on real change! #CGI2022 #UNGA

Honoured to be attending my first UN General Assembly with @FAODG during the high-level week in NY. The #UNGA is a unique forum for multilateral dialogue. It is an opportunity for Heads of State & Government to come together to tackle world issues.

Incredibly saddened by the tragic passing today of US Congresswoman Jackie Walorski from my home state of Indiana. A champion of agriculture, she was also Co-Chair of the bipartisan House #HungerCaucus. Her deep commitment to a country & world free from hunger was inspiring!

An important week ahead here at 🇺🇳 in New York…some big conversations & engagements on the agenda w/ Members and our #UN partners. Topics I’ll be raising: ✅Agrifood systems transformation ✅Ukraine ✅Food prices ✅UN Reform & #OCA ✅Finance 4 Development ✅Girls in Afghanistan

A sobering conversation w/ 🇺🇦 Dep Ag Minister from Kyiv. Food prices are high, inputs scarce and crops in jeopardy. @FAO is providing emergency support in rural areas & to farmers. We will STAY & DELIVER in Ukraine! Be sure to take the time to watch: bit.ly/3MNLt7g

Even before 24/02, 1 in 4 eastern Ukrainians was food insecure. Today, crops may be abandoned, ports are closed, commodity mkts are volatile & food prices are at record levels. Scaled up support is needed. Markets must remain open. Agrifood systems must be more resilient.

Day 2️⃣ ctd — In Marsabit County #Kenya, the drought situation is at Alarm stage 🔔🔔🔔! In the village of Teso, I was greeted by strong, smart, hopeful & entrepreneurial women who are turning @FAO support and training into better lives for their families.

.@FAO Deputy Director-General @BethBechdol participates in the distribution of range cubes -high nutritious supplements to aid livestock through the drought while also providing milk. About 26tonnes have been distributed to benefit 175 households in Golbo Moyale #HornOfAfrica

Day 1️⃣ - the @FAO partnership in #Kenya is impressive, successful and valued by us both! We discussed pro-active, anticipatory planning 📋 …celebrated our beating back desert locust and a new pest strategy 🦗… & now “wheels up” for first-hand view of drought conditions 🛫

Welcome to the new @USUNRomeAmb @cindymccain. Looking forward to working together on our global commitment to a secure food future for all.

Happy New Year’s from #Expo2020 ! I think there may have been record rainfall in #Dubai today (a sign of good luck!) … even drenched, it was great to find the #SDGs! Let’s do more together in 2022 to achieve the #2030Agenda!

“Don’t underestimate us!” 💪🏽 A powerful message from the many smart, strong and tenacious women I met this week in Guatemala 🇬🇹 and in celebration of #InternationalDayOfRuralWomen. Rural and indigenous women deserve more inclusion, more visibility and more opportunities!

A terrific day w/@FAO colleagues in Guatemala 🇬🇹 to open my 1st official mission! Truly an impressive team committed to improving livelihoods of farmers, indigenous peoples & rural poor, enhancing food security & developing climate resilient agriculture. We are One FAO! 💪🏻

Opening session of @g20org Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting underway in the stunning Palazzo Vecchio in Florence - @FAO proud of its strong relationship with the Italian Presidency 🇮🇹 #G20Italy