CFC and Greece explore collaboration to advance inclusive growth
Amsterdam, 26 August 2025 – The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) had the honour of welcoming H.E. Ms. Caterina Ghini, Ambassador of Greece to the Netherlands, to its headquarters in Amsterdam. Ambassador Ghini was warmly received by Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the CFC, the visit focused on strengthening collaboration and advancing sustainable development.
During the discussions, Ambassador Belal provided a comprehensive briefing on the CFC’s initiatives and the ongoing challenges faced by smallholder farmers. Central to the conversation was the Agricultural Commodity Transformation (ACT) Fund, an innovative financing mechanism designed to support sustainable development projects, improve livelihoods, and enhance economic resilience in vulnerable communities.
Ambassador Belal commended Greece’s longstanding commitment to sustainable development and its leadership within OECD and EU frameworks. He highlighted the potential for collaboration with the Hellenic Development Bank, noting that the CFC could serve as grassroots implementing partner for initiatives under the ACT Fund. He encouraged Greece’s engagement to strengthen partnerships, facilitate development financing, and support inclusive, scalable projects that empower farmers and communities.
Ambassador Belal also referenced paragraph 46(d) of the Seville Commitment, which calls on member states to increase voluntary contributions to the Common Fund for Commodities to enable the Fund to scale up support to developing countries, particularly in promoting value addition, processing, and manufacturing in commodity sectors. He emphasized that such support is critical to bridging the financing gap, strengthening livelihoods, and enhancing equitable value distribution, and encouraged Greece to continue its active engagement in line with this global commitment.
Ambassador Ghini expressed appreciation for the CFC’s initiatives and highlighted Greece’s interest in exploring practical avenues for collaboration, reinforcing its commitment to resilient livelihoods, equitable value chains, and sustainable growth. Both parties emphasized the importance of continued dialogue to advance joint initiatives and promote the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In the same spirit, Ambassador Belal introduced the Humanizing Value Chains (HVC) initiative as a flagship designed to tackle the persistent challenges of low incomes for smallholder farmers and the unequal distribution of value across commodity chains. He emphasized that HVC promotes transparency, equitable income allocation, and inclusive growth, ensuring that farmers and producers benefit fairly from the value they create. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to collaborate on practical, actionable solutions that foster fairer commodity markets, enhance farmer incomes, and advance inclusive and sustainable development.
About the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC)
CFC is an intergovernmental financial institution that supports commodity-dependent developing countries through projects and programs aimed at improving livelihoods and fostering sustainable value chains.
For media inquiries, please contact:
[CFC Media Relations Team]
[Email: managing.director@common-fund.org]
[Phone: +31 20 575 4949]