Brazil reiterates its strong support for CFC and the importance of poverty alleviation
H.E. Mr. Paulo Roberto Caminha de Castilhos França, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is seen with Managing Director Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal at the Secretariat of the CFC. H.E. Mr. Paulo Roberto Caminha de Castilhos França came to visit CFC, for the first time, to know more about the activities of the CFC and its impact on the ground.
During the visit Amb. França reiterated Brazil’s strong support for the CFC and the work that CFC has been doing to alleviate poverty. Sharing examples from his own country under the leadership of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Amb. França highlighted the centrality of local communities and inclusive development works along the sustainability roadmap.
Following an introductory presentation on CFC, Ambassador Belal briefed Ambassador França about the ongoing as well as probable future initiatives of the CFC, as it seeks to ease commodity dependence in Latin America and beyond. Ambassador Belal requested Ambassador França to help CFC with their success stories and thereby help CFC to improve the format and character of CFC projects.
Furthermore, Ambassador Belal also briefed Ambassador França on the ongoing initiative on the formulation of a fund entitled Agricultural Commodity Transformation (ACT) Fund (formerly referred to as CIIF (Commodity Impact Investment Facility) and thereby enabling CFC to contribute more for alleviation of poverty. Once formed, ACT Fund could also be an avenue for member countries to join this impact investment fund as anchor investors. Member states are encouraged to share information on ACT with private sector parties in their country and encourage them to participate in this journey of sustainability.
Before taking leave, Ambassador França shared the new impetus that the incumbent government of Brazil is placing on agriculture. H.E. Mr. França highlighted the nexus between commodities and poverty. He expressed his country’s interest in working more with the CFC to help alleviate poverty globally.
Ambassador Belal assured to pursue more innovative outreaches in the days to come to make the services of CFC available to as many people as possible in the commodity dependent developing world, with a heightened sense of innovations and creativity.