Ahead of the 35th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe and Central Asia (ERC35), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) convened two private sector consultations in Brussels, Belgium, and İzmir, Türkiye. Bringing together agribusinesses, financial institutions, industry associations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the dialogues ensured that private sector perspectives contributed to shaping regional priorities for agrifood systems transformation. 

On 29 April 2026, the Private Sector Unit of FAO's Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU) convened the second session of its 2026 Private Sector Brown Bag Lunch series. The virtual discussion, "Investing in Women, Transforming Agrifood Systems: FAO and the Private Sector in the Commit to Grow Equality (CGE) Initiative", engaged over 50 participants from FAO headquarters, regional and country offices, alongside external stakeholders including private sector partners.    

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.

Private sector entities and development partners convened today for a dialogue on “The Role of the Private Sector in Agrifood Transformation and Climate Resilience in the Near East and North Africa,” bringing together leading voices to examine how businesses can accelerate sustainable agrifood systems transformation in a region facing mounting climate pressures and complex, overlapping crises.
Speaking at the opening, senior officials emphasized that agrifood systems in the NENA region are under intense, overlapping pressures - from conflict and climate shocks to resource constraints, making stronger support and a more central role for the private sector indispensable. FAO highlighted its new 2025–2030 Private Sector Engagement Strategy, emphasizing its shift toward a more dynamic, collaborative, and actionoriented model. The strategy focuses on climateresilient agriculture, watersaving technologies, innovative financing, and stronger engagement with SMEs, cooperatives, and local institutions. FAO underscored its commitment to working closely with the private sector through innovation hubs, cocreation platforms, and streamlined duediligence processes to deliver tailored, scalable solutions across the region. 

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.

The Private Sector Unit of FAO's Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU) hosted the first 2026 session of its Private Sector Brown Bag Lunch series. The virtual event titled "Collaborating for Impact: FAO and the CFS Private Sector Mechanism", brought together over 70 participants from across FAO headquarters, regional and country offices, alongside external stakeholders including private sector partners. 

Private sector leaders from across Africa called for stronger partnerships, increased investment and faster scaling of innovation to accelerate agrifood systems transformation during the 4th African Agribusiness Leaders Dialogue (AALD), held as an official consultation ahead of the 34th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC34). 

FAO convened the first meeting of the year of the United Nations Private Sector Engagement (UN PSE) Network under its chairmanship. The meeting coincided with the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HNPW) in Geneva, and brought together UN entities, private sector representatives and partners to exchange experiences and identify opportunities to strengthen collaboration in humanitarian contexts. 

In an era marked by climate change, resource constraints, and population growth challenge global food systems, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is working closely with Pinduoduo, China’s largest agricultural e-commerce marketplace, to accelerate digital innovation in agriculture. This collaborative engagement is reshaping agri-food systems to become more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.

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. 

The Eighth Japan–FAO Annual Strategic Consultation convened in hybrid format, bringing together participants to reflect on progress in Japan–FAO cooperation and chart shared priorities towards building more sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Jordan and Tamweelcom signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to empower vulnerable rural communities and accelerate the transformation of sustainable agrifood systems in Jordan.

The FAO Strategy for Private Sector Engagement (2026-2030) was endorsed by the174th Session of the FAO Council. With its endorsement, the Council has marked a significant milestone in positioning FAO with a refreshed and constructive engagement model.

In 2025, the Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) convened two meetings to advance FAO’s engagement with the private sector on global food security and nutrition.

Unity is the cornerstone of FAO’s mission to address global challenges and achieve food security and nutrition for all, leaving no one behind.

To accelerate agrifood systems transformation across Asia and the Pacific, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Grow Asia have renewed their partnership through a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed virtually this week.

Papua New Guinea hosted its mini-Cocoa Cupping competition in Baimuru Village, Yangoru-Saussia District, East Sepik Province. The two-day event drew nine specialty buyers and chocolatiers from the United Kingdom and brought together hundreds of producers, fermentary owners, extension workers, traders, and community members.

As part of this collaboration, FAO participated in a panel discussion, “Collaboration in Action: Partnering to Ensure Safe Food for All,” held as part of the 10-year anniversary of the Mars Global Food Safety Center (GFSC) in China.

Between May and September 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held three meetings with private sector partners under its Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG). These meetings focused on aligning private sector engagement, climate action, and innovation in the transformation of agrifood systems.

During the 2025 World Food Forum, FAO launched a new partnership with the World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI), marking a milestone in efforts to mobilize inclusive climate finance and strengthening resilience across agri-food systems.