The Hand-in-Hand Investment Dialogue for Asia and the Pacific

The Asia and the Pacific region face urgent challenges in transforming agrifood systems to ensure food security, economic growth, and sustainability. The Hand-in-Hand Investment Dialogue offers a unique opportunity for governments, financial institutions, and private sector actors to mobilize investments, forge partnerships, and accelerate agrifood transformation.

This three-day regional dialogue builds on FAO’s Hand-in-Hand (HIH) Initiative, providing a dedicated platform for Asia and the Pacific countries to showcase investment opportunities and directly engage with investors. As global interest in sustainable agrifood investments continues to grow, this event is a must-attend for those looking to drive impact and unlock funding for transformative projects.

The Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HIH)

FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative helps countries accelerate agricultural transformation by:

• Developing value chains for priority commodities.
• Strengthening agro-industries and efficient water management.
• Introducing digital solutions and precision agriculture.
• Reducing food loss and waste.
• Addressing climate challenges and weather risks.

Using advanced geospatial analysis and data-driven decision-making, HIH supports country-led, evidence-based investment strategies. The initiative is already making an impact in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

The HIH Investment Forum at the World Food Forum (WFF)

The HIH Investment Forum is an FAO-led global platform where governments present priority agrifood investment opportunities to international financiers, donors, and private sector investors. While the annual HIH Investment Forum in Rome is a key event, participation from Asia and the Pacific investors has been limited.

To address this gap, FAO’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) is launching a dedicated regional investment dialogue, enabling countries to engage directly with investors and development partners to advance their agrifood investment agendas.

Why a Regional HIH Investment Dialogue?

This dialogue is a call to action for Asia and the Pacific countries to accelerate agrifood systems transformation. It will:

• Provide a regional platform to HIH investments, tailoring approaches to Asia and the Pacific challenges and opportunities.
• Facilitate direct engagement between HIH countries, financial institutions, private investors, and development partners.
• Showcase proven strategies, innovative financing models, and success stories to scale up investments.
• Strengthen multi-stakeholder partnerships, ensuring no one is left behind in agrifood transformation.

Key Objectives

• Showcase investment opportunities: Facilitate engagement between Asia and the Pacific countries, development partners, and private investors to drive HIH-related agrifood investments.
• Strengthen partnerships and matchmaking: Foster collaborations aligned with FAO flagship initiatives.
• Explore financing models: Enhance understanding of funding modalities, investment frameworks, and financing instruments available through development banks, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), and private sector partners.

Who Will Participate?

The HIH Investment Dialogue will convene a diverse group of stakeholders, including:

• Government representatives, HIH country coordinators from HIH countries.
• Partner countries.
• Financial institutions and development partners.
• Academia and technical experts in agrifood system transformation and investment; and
• HIH countries.