Business voices take centre stage ahead of FAO Regional Conference for Europe

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), together with the European Dairy Association, held a private-sector dialogue today in Brussels, gathering European Union-based companies, industry associations, financial institutions and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to shape private-sector inputs for FAO’s upcoming Thirty-fifth Session of the Regional Conference for Europe.

Raschad Al-Khafaji, Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Brussels, welcomed participants to the consultation, underscoring the crucial role of the private sector in transforming agrifood systems.

“Today’s exchange is an important opportunity to share views and showcase collaboration,” he said, “while reinforcing the value of continuous dialogue with the private sector to advance more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems across Europe and Central Asia.”

The consultation comes at a critical moment for the region, as agrifood systems face increasing pressures from climate change, economic uncertainty and the need for accelerated transformation. In his remarks, FAO Deputy Regional Representative Raimund Jehle underscored that meaningful progress “cannot be achieved by governments and international organizations alone,” highlighting the private sector’s decisive role in investment, innovation, digitalization and the functioning of food supply chains. He emphasized that structured dialogue is essential to identifying bottlenecks, unlocking sustainable finance and ensuring that policies reflect on-the-ground realities.

Scaling partnerships through a new FAO strategy

A central feature of the consultation was the presentation of the FAO Strategy for Private Sector Engagement 2026–2030, which introduces a more action-oriented, evidence-based and impact-driven approach to partnerships. The strategy aims to scale high-impact collaboration, strengthen decentralized engagement and improve accountability and monitoring while expanding cooperation across a broad spectrum of actors – from smallholder farmers and SMEs to multinational companies and financial institutions. It places particular emphasis on innovation, climate-smart agriculture, inclusive value chains and the mobilization of private capital through blended finance and investment mechanisms.

The Consultation saw participation of more than 35 representatives of various private sector entities and sectors and EU institutions, including Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission, Sustainable Agri-Food Systems and Fisheries, Directorate-General for International Partnerships, European Commission, and European Economic and Social Committee.  

From dialogue to action

The consultation’s agenda combined policy perspectives and practical experience. Representatives from European Union institutions outlined strategic priorities, and private-sector actors showcased successful FAO partnerships that demonstrate how collaboration can enhance sustainability, resilience and market access. Participants then engaged in interactive discussions structured around thematic priorities of the Regional Conference, including integrating climate and biodiversity action, strengthening resilience and improving financing for agrifood systems. The Regional Conference is slated for 11–15 May in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Key priorities for regional action

These discussions highlighted the need for stronger enabling environments for investment, better access to finance for smallholders and SMEs, and accelerated uptake of innovation and digital solutions. Participants stressed the importance of aligning policy frameworks with business realities and scaling successful partnership models across the region.

The consultation will feed directly into the Regional Conference, with participants agreeing on a set of key messages to be delivered in Dushanbe. These include the need to create enabling policy environments, de-risk and mobilize investment, ensure inclusion across value chains – particularly for farmers, SMEs and vulnerable groups – focus on measurable impact, and scale innovation responsibly.  

Selected spokespersons will present these consolidated private-sector perspectives, ensuring that business insights are reflected in regional decision-making processes.

By strengthening structured engagement with the private sector, FAO aims to bridge policy and practice, mobilize investment and accelerate the transition towards more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems across Europe and Central Asia.