Advancing fisheries and aquaculture through private sector partnerships: FAO’s new Strategy in focus
Held on 25 March 2026 as part of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture (NFI) Seminar Series, the session brought together FAO colleagues to exchange perspectives and practical experiences on partnering with the private sector to advance more sustainable, resilient and inclusive agrifood systems.
Scaling impact through partnerships
Carlos Watson, Chief of the Private Sector Unit of the Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU) presented the FAO Strategy for Private Sector Engagement 2026-2030, highlighting its focus on expanding collaboration with a wide range of private sector actors, from small and medium-sized enterprises to multinational companies, across global, regional and country levels.
The Strategy introduces more flexible and collaborative engagement modalities, enabling FAO to better leverage private sector innovation, expertise and investment to scale solutions, including in fisheries and aquaculture.
Throughout the Q&A session, Annamaria Pastore, Strategic Coordinator of the Private Sector Unit, provided clarifications and practical guidance on key aspects of the Strategy. Pastore addressed questions on risk assessment, partner identification and engagement modalities, drawing on practical cases to illustrate how approaches can be applied in different contexts. Pastore further emphasized the importance of balancing due diligence with opportunities for collaboration, while supporting FAO teams in navigating private sector engagement in a strategic and coherent manner.
From risk aversion to risk management
A key theme of the discussion was FAO’s shift from a risk-averse approach to a more balanced, risk-managed model. Participants raised practical questions on how risk is defined, particularly in sectors such as fisheries where key value chain actors may present both opportunities and challenges.
FAO’s due diligence framework, aligned with United Nations standards - the UN Global Compact principles, supports this approach through structured assessments of environmental, social and governance risks, alongside FAO-specific considerations. The importance of mitigation measures throughout the partnership lifecycle was emphasized, enabling more informed and context-specific engagement.
From strategy to practice
The seminar also highlighted practical tools such as FAO’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, which supports partner identification, tracks engagement processes, and strengthens coordination across the Organization.
Participants discussed how partnerships can be identified and developed through a combination of strategic mapping, existing networks, and decentralized offices. The discussion also highlighted the importance of aligning partnerships with technical priorities in fisheries and aquaculture.
Addressing challenges and strengthening collaboration
Participants shared field-level perspectives, noting both the critical role of the private sector in transforming sectors such as aquaculture and the operational challenges of engaging partners while maintaining robust due diligence processes.
The discussion also touched on communication and stakeholder perceptions, including how to address concerns related to past partnerships and ensure transparency and credibility in FAO’s engagement approach.
Strengthening knowledge exchange across FAO
As part of the NFI Seminar Series, the session provided a platform for cross-divisional learning and dialogue, enabling participants to exchange experiences and explore practical applications of the FAO Strategy for Private Sector Engagement 2026-2030.
The seminar reaffirmed the importance of strengthened, well-structured partnerships with the private sector in advancing fisheries and aquaculture transformation and delivering impact on the ground.
