Turning vision into impact: FAO’s Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) advances the FAO Strategy for Private Sector Engagement (2026-2030)
FAO convened the first meeting of the Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) in 2026, bringing together its diverse members to discuss the transition towards implementing the FAO’s Strategy for Private Sector Engagement 2026–2030 and to explore how best to advance its delivery.
Opening the session, Carlos Watson, Chief of the Private Sector Unit (PSUS), emphasized the vital role of PSAG members in ensuring that implementation of the Strategy remains anchored in real-world dynamics and informed by practical private sector experience.
Lauren Phillips, Director of the Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU), outlined the next steps under the Strategy and guided discussions around two central questions:
1. Which elements of the updated Strategy are the most groundbreaking?
2. At what level - global, regional or national, can collaboration with FAO achieve the greatest impact?
A strategy shaped by broad consultation and a call for cultural change
Phillips emphasized that the updated Strategy reflects extensive consultations conducted throughout 2025 with private sector partners, FAO technical divisions, decentralized offices, Members, and UN agencies. These discussions reaffirmed a shared commitment to advancing agrifood systems that are more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.
With the Strategy now endorsed by the Council, FAO is entering the implementation phase, focused on translating this vision into concrete, action-oriented collaboration. The Strategy calls for a cultural shift toward more flexible, innovation driven engagement, supported by modalities such as technical dialogues, knowledge sharing platforms, innovation hubs, incubators, and accelerators. Operational improvements include deeper engagement at regional and country levels, and a streamlined, risk-based due diligence process.
Member perspectives on value chains, innovation and investment
PSAG members welcomed the Strategy’s emphasis on agile and collaborative engagement modalities. They underscored the value of innovation platforms and informal cooperation mechanisms in fostering joint problem-solving.
Members reaffirmed the importance of adopting value chain approaches to strengthen connections across the agrifood system and highlighted the need for clearer conditions to attract investment, particularly at the country level. They also encouraged FAO to continue providing public good data, geospatial tools and evidence-based analysis to help derisk investments and create stronger entry points for initiatives benefiting smallholders, women, youth and micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
While recognizing the relevance of collaboration at global and regional levels, members agreed that country level engagement is critical to achieving tangible impact and supporting value chain development. They further highlighted the importance of mobilizing diverse financing approaches to advance food‑security efforts and strengthen the enabling environment for investment.
The meeting asserted PSAG’s role as a strategic platform supporting the effective rollout of the Strategy. PSAG Members emphasized that FAO’s private sector engagement remains practical, action‑oriented and closely aligned with real‑world needs to deliver meaningful impact across global, regional and national levels.
