U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering led the U.S. delegation to the 44th Session of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Conference in Rome. Representing Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, Bekkering conveyed a message that international organizations supported by American taxpayers should deliver results that align with U.S. interests and benefit American farmers, ranchers, and producers.
During the conference, the U.S. national statement was presented, reflecting President Trump’s vision and Secretary Rollins’ commitment to prioritizing American agricultural stakeholders.
“Today, the U.S. sees FAO at a crossroads,” said Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering during the U.S. national statement to the FAO plenary. “One path is business as usual—more mandates, more meetings, more process, slow progress. The other path brings us back to basics and results—focusing on FAO’s core mission and making a real and sustainable difference on the ground."
Bekkering met with FAO leadership and international counterparts to emphasize U.S. reform priorities focused on results-based, science-driven leadership.
In discussions with Chargé d’Affaires Scott Turner of the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome, she spoke with FAO Deputy Director General Beth Bechdol about aligning FAO's efforts with its largest contributor's priorities. In another meeting with FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero, she highlighted that FAO credibility relies on using top-tier science and evidence.
The delegation also engaged Codex Secretary Sarah Cahill regarding international food safety standards benefiting U.S. producers and met Ronald Hartman from the International Fund for Agricultural Development to discuss collaboration with American private sector investments globally.
Bilateral talks were held with Canadian Assistant Deputy Minister Tom Rosser about defending transparent agricultural policy across multilateral settings while reinforcing North American leadership in trade facilitation issues. Meetings were also conducted with Sweden’s Vice Minister for Rural Affairs Daniel Liljeberg concerning EU trade barriers like deforestation regulations.
USDA plans continued engagement with both FAO and interagency partners in advancing reform priorities aligned with strategic economic interests of America.