Private Sector Mechanism Meets in Rome

Morgane Danielou, Robynne Anderson, and Katy Lee of Emerging ag provide the secretariat services to the Private Sector Mechanism through the International Agri-Food Network.

Almost 40 representatives from organisations all over the world came together in May during the annual meeting of the Private Sector Mechanism to the CFS (2015) in Rome. Covering virtually every sector of the agri-food value chain, we had representatives from beverages, biofuels, farmers, fisheries, forestry, inputs, livestock, grain trade, pulses, processors, and grocery products.

The Deputy Director-General of FAO, Dan Gustafson, met with the private sector for lunch on Wednesday. Discussion was centred around improved modalities of engagement for the private sector with FAO, better communication and engagement with the private sector concerning FAO’s programming “on the ground”, and increased opportunities for PSM members to be able to participate as observers and to convene side events at FAO conference.

More than 30 diplomatic attendees attended our reception on Tuesday evening at which Jaine Chisolm Caunt, the newly elected Chair of the International Agri-Food Network, welcomed the guests and invited special guest Minister Gustavo Infante, Vice-Chair of the CFS to bring remarks.

More than 60 countries, as well as UN Agencies, were reached during all of the meetings. The discussions helped to strengthen the foundation for long-term engagement and policy effectiveness at CFS and this year they were conducted in English, French and Spanish. Meetings with the private sector were arranged with:

African Union
Algeria
Angola
Argentina
Austria
Bangladesh
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cote D’Ivoire
Equatorial Guinea
European Union
France
Germany
Ghana
Hungary
Iceland
India
Italy
Kenya
Latvia
Liberia
Mexico
Netherlands
Norway
Pakistan
Panama
Peru
Philippines
South Sudan
Spain
Sudan
Switzerland
Uganda
UK
USA
Zambia
Zimbabwe