CFC Meets Head of IGG to Advance Smallholder-Focused Sustainable Development
The Hague, 13 November 2025 – Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), met with Mr. Thijs Woudstra, Head of Food and Nutrition Security (FNS/IGG), and Ms. Lisa van Nieuwkoop, both from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. He was joined by Mr. Michael van den Berg, Director of the ACT Fund.
Ambassador Belal briefed Mr. Woudstra on the Agricultural Commodity Transformation (ACT) Fund — a USD 100 million blended-finance facility anchored by investments from Dutch Invest International and the CFC, supported by a USD 10 million Technical Assistance Facility to scale technology-enabled, climate-resilient agricultural solutions.
Mr. Woudstra welcomed the CFC’s strengthened focus on regenerative agriculture, farmer resilience, and technology-driven value chains, noting that these priorities closely align with the Netherlands’ Inclusive Green Growth (IGG) agenda. He observed that CFC’s SME-centred approach offers practical entry points for advancing shared objectives across water, food security, climate adaptation, and inclusive economic development.
Ambassador Belal affirmed that the CFC’s mission strongly resonates with the IGG vision and expressed readiness to deepen collaboration with Dutch institutions, leveraging the Netherlands’ expertise in water management, greenhouse technology, Agro logistics, and circular innovation.
The Common Fund for Commodities aligns closely with the Netherlands’ philosophy of linking trade, sustainability, and innovation to advance Inclusive Green Growth (IGG). Almost 40 percent of the CFC’s portfolio now involves Dutch businesses or knowledge institutions, underscoring a strong foundation for joint impact. The CFC provides clear cooperation opportunities across the water–agriculture nexus, regenerative agriculture, Agro logistics, cold chains, digital access, cooperative models, and circular solutions.
About the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC)
The CFC is an UN-affiliated international financial institution based in Amsterdam, working in over 100 countries to support inclusive economic development through impact investing in commodity value chains.
For media inquiries, please contact:
[CFC Media Relations Team]
[Email: managing.director@common-fund.org]
[Phone: +31 20 575 4949]