CFC Engages Ireland on Inclusive Rural Development
The Hague, 13 May 2026 – H.E. Ambassador Caroline Kitana Chipeta, Ambassador of Tanzania to the Netherlands and Chair of the CFC Governing Council, and H.E. Mr. J. Eduardo Malaya, Ambassador of the Philippines to the Netherlands and Chair of the CFC Executive Board, led a high-level delegation to the Embassy of Ireland in The Hague accompanied by Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC).
The delegation met with H.E. Ms. Ann Derwin, Ambassador of Ireland to the Netherlands, together with Mr. Kieran Houlihan, Deputy Head of Mission, and Ms. Lotte van den Boom, EU Presidency Policy Officer.
The meeting underscored the importance of partnerships in advancing sustainable development, strengthening commodity value chains, and improving livelihoods for smallholder farmers and rural communities. Discussions also focused on food security, nutrition, gender-responsive investing, and inclusive rural development.
Ambassador Chipeta emphasized the importance of people-centered development and acknowledged Ireland’s longstanding contribution to humanitarian and agricultural development initiatives: “Irish Aid has done tremendous work over the years in supporting agriculture, humanitarian assistance, nutrition, and rural development across many developing countries. Commodity sectors remain central to the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers, and it is essential that we continue investing in communities, particularly women and vulnerable groups, to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth.”
Ambassador Malaya congratulated Ireland on its upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union in July 2026 and highlighted the strong alignment between Ireland’s development priorities and the objectives of CFC 2.0: “Ireland has consistently demonstrated leadership in supporting developing countries and advancing international cooperation. As Ireland prepares for its EU Presidency in July 2026, there is an important opportunity to further strengthen dialogue on sustainable development, food security, and inclusive economic growth. Partnerships with countries such as Ireland are vital as the CFC scales up its impact under CFC 2.0.”
Ambassador Belal reflected on the increasing global demand for development support and the need for stronger partnerships to meet evolving challenges: “The demand from developing countries continues to grow, particularly in areas linked to food security, resilient livelihoods, and sustainable commodity value chains. The CFC today is focused on bringing partners closer to the real needs on the ground and mobilizing practical investments that can deliver measurable impact. Ireland’s strong commitment to development cooperation and the positive work already undertaken by the CFC create a solid foundation for deeper collaboration moving forward.”
The delegation acknowledged Ireland’s longstanding global leadership in development cooperation, nutrition, food security, and humanitarian support, as well as its commitment to advancing gender equality and sustainable livelihoods. These priorities closely align with the mission of the CFC to support commodity-dependent communities and strengthen rural economies.
Ambassador Derwin thanked the delegation for the constructive exchange and welcomed the opportunity to continue discussions on areas of mutual interest related to sustainable development:
“Through Irish Aid, Ireland has long supported initiatives that strengthen food security, rural livelihoods, and sustainable development in developing countries. Empowering women in agriculture and supporting female-led SMEs remain important priorities, as women play a vital role in building resilient communities and local economies. We see many areas where the work of Irish Aid and the CFC intersect, and we welcome continued discussions to explore how we can work together on areas of shared interest and development cooperation.”
Both sides reaffirmed the importance of collaboration in addressing global development challenges and promoting resilient and inclusive commodity sectors that contribute to long-term sustainable growth.
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]