Kazuki Kitaoka, director of the Office of Youth and Women at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, visited Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) in Hubei province on June 14 to discuss cooperation in youth development, women's empowerment and global food security.
Kitaoka led a three-member delegation to HZAU, where its President Yan Jianbing met the guests. Representatives from the university's international cooperation office and the College of Economics & Management also attended the meeting. Yan said the FAO and HZAU share closely aligned missions in promoting sustainable agricultural development.
The FAO works through agricultural technology extension, international policy coordination and standard setting, while HZAU focuses on talent training, scientific innovation and social service in agriculture. He said the two sides could strengthen their collaboration and contribute to the transformation of global agrifood systems.
Kitaoka introduced the work of the FAO's Office of Youth and Women, saying it promotes gender equality in agriculture, empowers young people in agrifood systems and supports inclusive rural development. He expressed hope the FAO and HZAU could build a long-term cooperation mechanism in youth innovation and entrepreneurship, youth leadership training and smart food-security governance.
During the visit, Kitaoka also joined a face-to-face session with students and faculty members, sharing insights on international organization internships, global competence, and career pathways for young professionals around the world today.

Kazuki Kitaoka meets HZAU representatives during his visit to HZAU. [Photo/new.hzau.edu.cn]