Michelle Bekkering, Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, delivered a statement at the 44th Session of the FAO Conference on July 1, 2025. Representing the United States, Bekkering emphasized her background growing up on a family farm in Iowa and highlighted the importance of sound global food and agricultural policies.
Bekkering noted that "the U.S. sees FAO at a crossroads," with one path being "business as usual" and another focusing on FAO's core mission to make agriculture more efficient and improve nutrition. She stressed that achieving these goals requires "sound science, strong, open markets, and fair trade."
She acknowledged FAO's efforts to embrace innovation through initiatives like the Office of Innovation and biotechnology conferences. According to Bekkering, it is crucial for members to drive an agenda prioritizing practical solutions that empower agricultural producers.
Bekkering underscored support for science-based standards such as Codex Alimentarius and the International Plant Protection Convention. These standards are vital for ensuring food safety, building consumer trust, and protecting food security.
The United States will not reaffirm the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of its focus on results rather than ideologies outside FAO's core mission. Bekkering stated that "FAO must revert to using biological sex terminology" and end certain DEI practices.
Highlighting America's role as the largest bilateral donor to FAO, she reiterated President Trump's vision for U.S. foreign assistance: it should make America safer and more prosperous while reflecting market-driven tools in improving agricultural productivity.
Bekkering concluded by calling for a refocus on empowering farmers and tackling food security without increasing FAO's budget beyond $997.9 million dollars.