Diarmuid Gavin named FAO Goodwill Ambassador for Ireland

Dublin/ Rome – The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, QU Dongyu, today named the popular garden designer, broadcaster and writer, Diarmuid Gavin, as a FAO National Goodwill Ambassador for Ireland.

A FAO Champion of Plant Health for the International Year of Plant Health in 2020, Gavin was appointed to the new role at the opening session of the 11th World Potato Congress in Dublin, Ireland.

“By using his talent, vision and influence, Diarmuid has supported FAO’s work in raising awareness on how protecting plant health protects the environment, and contributes to end hunger and malnutrition,” Qu said, “He has been strongly committed to supporting FAO in highlighting the critical need to transform our agrifood systems, and how this can be achieved,” he added.

“This is a great honour,” said Gavin, “I very much look forward to representing the great work of FAO as a Goodwill Ambassador during these challenging times.”

As Goodwill Ambassador, Gavin will help FAO promote plant health and publicise the importance of promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and combatting climate change through more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable practices that can begin in peoples’ gardens or window boxes.

About Diarmuid Gavin

Gavin has designed gardens throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom, mainland Europe, Africa and China. He has participated in the Chelsea Flower Show nine times where he won gold and silver, and the BBC People’s Choice Award.

Gavin has presented television series in Ireland and the UK including Art of the Garden, Diarmuid’s Big Adventure and Gardening Together. He has written numerous garden design books.

/Public Release. View in full here.