CFC heads to UN Financing for Development Forum and SDG Investment Fair
This week we will be in New York to discuss how investing in agri-SMEs can enhance food security and make the trade and production of agricultural commodities more equitable.
Our Managing Director Amb. Mohammed Belal, and Impact Investment Manager, Michaël van den Berg, will both take part at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) 2023 Financing for Development (FfD) forum.
The forum is a space for an inclusive, multi-stakeholder discussion about how to provide financing that will drive long-term sustainable development that addresses global challenges.
On Thursday 20 April, Amb. Belal and Michaël will join a panel to discuss safeguarding food security through multilateralism, trade, and national actions. They will highlight the importance of the sustainable production of agricultural commodities, and explore policies that will ensure a fairer distribution of the rewards that come from it. Making progress in these areas will contribute to food security and SDG 2 (Zero hunger).
Michaël will also join the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) SDG Investment Fair 2023. Focusing on emerging and frontier markets, the fair showcases a range of SDG-aligned sustainable investment opportunities in various sectors. It gathers representatives from the private sector, the development community, civil society, academia and UN agencies, with the aim of accelerating partnerships and sustainable investments.
He is keen to discuss how expanding access to innovative financing and export markets for agri-MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) can power sustainable food systems. MSMEs account for around 90% of business ventures and employ more than half of the global workforce, but they often struggle to access financing.
The session aims to highlight what’s needed to unlock additional financing for MSMEs in the agriculture and agribusiness value chains in Africa, including:
- Access to affordable finance for agribusiness MSMEs;
- Easing market access for products in the agribusiness value chains;
- Creating a regulatory framework and enabling environment for MSMEs operations.
As global crises multiply, we need to work together to unlock the potential of small agribusinesses and ensure food security. We look forward to building relationships at the forum that promote sustainable agricultural financing.
If you’re attending the event, join us on 20 April! We will be at the SDG Investment Fair from 8:45am to 9:45am, and at the FfD Forum (Panel discussion 9) from 10:00am to 11:30am.
Or watch the Forum live on UN Web TV: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1j/k1ja1s3utt