Private Sector Consultation on World Food Security and the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy

20 May, 2008

Recognizing the potential impact of climate change on the agricultural, rural and land-use sectors - in particular the severe consequences for developing countries and food security - the Rome-based United Nations agencies and institutions (the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the GM) are committed to stepping up efforts in the areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation. This joint response is in line with the call from the UN-Secretary General for UN agencies to join forces in the fight against climate change.

Engagement with the private sector is crucial in rising to the challenge of successfully integrating climate change mitigation and adaptation into national development programming and creating investment opportunities to support UNCCD implementation.

In this context, the GM, FAO Investment Centre and Ecosecurities coorganzed a Private Sector Stakeholder Consultation and Dialogue on World Food Security and the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy at FAO Headquarters, on 27 and 28 March 2008. This event built directly on the Rome 2007 Initiative for sustainable growth - led by the GM, FAO and Ecosecurities - and was organized in preparation for the High-Level Conference on Food Security and the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy, to be hosted by FAO from 3 - 5 June 2008.

The consultation, attended by representatives from major private companies in food production, energy and investment, in addition to the Rome-based UN agencies, discussed policy options and opportunities for public-private sector partnerships in response to the food security challenges posed by climate change and bionergy, including agriculture and agribusiness; the financial sector; and technology transfer and energy needs.

Key messages and recommendations were developed that will be presented at the High-Level Conference in June, including the recommendation for the development of an investment facility to promote climate change mitigation and adaptation projects in the agricultural, rural and land use sectors.

The investment facility would be the main tool through which the Rome Initiative 2007 would continue to promote investments in emission reductions and rural development.