CFC at COP16: Uniting Global Efforts to Restore Land and Strengthen Food Security
The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) is proud to announce its participation in the 16th session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Representing a pivotal step in addressing the critical challenges of land degradation and food security, CFC will join global leaders, policymakers, and innovators in advancing sustainable agricultural solutions.
Michael Van Den Berg, Director of the ACT Fund, will feature as a panelist during the “VACS Champions: Private Enterprise Restoring Land and Improving Food Security” session on Land Day on December 4, 2024. This flagship event underscores the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) initiative—a global movement dedicated to building resilient food systems by promoting diverse, climate-adapted crops cultivated in healthy soils.
Ambassador Sheikh Belal, Managing Director of the CFC, will participate in the high-level “VACS in Action” session during Agri-Food Systems Day on December 5, 2024. This session will explore actionable strategies for combating land degradation and building climate-resilient agricultural systems. Ambassador Belal will highlight CFC’s leadership in mobilizing private investment through the ACT Fund, emphasizing its role in fostering collaboration across stakeholders to address these pressing challenges.
Through its Agricultural Commodities Transformation (ACT) Fund, the CFC has committed up to $20 million to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in agriculture, including $5 million dedicated to VACS-aligned projects. These investments aim to empower smallholder farmers, strengthen agricultural value chains, and promote the cultivation of opportunity crops essential for land restoration and food security.
Michael Van Den Berg stated: “Land degradation and food insecurity are interlinked global crises that demand immediate action. By investing in agricultural SMEs, we are creating a bridge between smallholder farmers and sustainable markets, driving transformative change in land use and productivity.”
COP16 provides a vital platform for collaboration, uniting stakeholders to share innovations, insights, and commitments to combat desertification. CFC’s participation highlights its leadership in leveraging private investment for sustainable agricultural development.
The CFC calls on public and private sector actors to join this critical mission to restore land and improve food security. Together, we can create a resilient future for our planet.
Tune in to the livestream of next week’s VACS events and be part of the global effort to restore land and strengthen food security. Watch live at https://webtv.un.org/en.
About the Agricultural Commodities Transformation Fund (ACT)
ACT is an impact investment fund financing value chains that create climate and income resilience at scale. ACT will provide a combination of finance and technical assistance to agri-businesses producing positive economic, social, and environmental outcomes across Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The ACT Fund will build on CFC’s three decades of experience, global track record and established deal flow.
About the U.S. Department of State, Office of Global Food Security
The Department of State leads and coordinates U.S. diplomatic engagement on food systems, food security, and nutrition in bilateral, multilateral, and regional fora, working closely with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other departments and agencies.
About The Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS)
The Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) seeks to build a resilient food system grounded in diverse, nutritious, and climate adapted crops grown in healthy, fertile soils. VACS addresses the alarming mismatch between a growing global population couple with decreased agricultural yields due to climate change and land degradation.