WORLD FOOD FORUM 2023 Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum High-Level Round Table - Private Sector Dinner Welcome Remarks
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
17/10/2023
WORLD FOOD FORUM 2023
Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum
High-Level Round Table - Private Sector Dinner
Welcome Remarks
By
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
17 October 2023
Dear Guests, Colleagues and Friends,
Good evening and welcome to this important “roundtable dinner” and to FAO headquarters. We are very pleased to facilitate this interactive dialogue, and to provide an opportunity for you to network – this is true hand-in-hand in action!
We fully recognize - more than ever before - that the global challenges we face cannot be solved without close cooperation between the Public and Private Sector.
Eradication of hunger and poverty needs interventions that go beyond the public sector.
Transformation of agrifood systems needs investment and financing at scale that can only be mobilized in collaboration with the private sector.
Sustainable and resilient agrifood systems should be economically viable and inclusive, and to accelerate that process we need science, innovation, technology and data. And the private sector is key for mobilizing the needed innovative solutions that are beneficial to all.
This is one of the main reasons I launched the FAO Hand in Hand Investment Forum – to promote, increase and strengthen the partnership among governments and national stakeholders, and the private sector.
As well as to demonstrate that there are mutual gains when we work hand-in-hand to improve food security, nutrition and reduce inequalities.
The agrifood sector is one of the most strategic sectors. It is 7 to 10 times more cost effective to invest in agriculture than in traditional assistance.
Targeted investment in agrifood systems is critical and necessary to speed up economic growth, ensure employment, reduce poverty and increase food security, while improving macro-economic stability and fiscal space.
The 31 Investment Plans that will be presented today and tomorrow by the Hand-in-Hand participating countries will present win-win opportunities, with maximum return on investment.
Use this platform, tonight and throughout the week, to explore and reach agreement for closer cooperation and partnership, for concrete action that you can implement together.
FAO is fully committed to accompany you throughout this process, and the FAO Team stands ready to provide all the technical assistance needed by Members and partners, to achieve our collective goal of the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life – leaving no one behind.
Thank you.