2015

CFS 2015 Private Sector Engagement

In October, 2015, the PSM had its largest delegation to date for CFS42, with over 120 representatives.

CFS 42 in 2015 by the numbers:

  • 141 private sector delegates registered and approximately 120 delegates attended Rome for CFS 42.
  • 150 participants engaged in discussions at the High Level Dinner.
  • Bilateral meetings were attended by 96 representatives of 63 member states and regional groups.
  • The first bilateral with the Asian regional group was held, and – also a first – the week included meetings with every regional group of member states.
  • 109 people attended the meeting with the Director General of the FAO, José Graziano da Silva
  • Meetings occurred with World Food Programme, FAO regarding Responsible Agricultural Investment Principles, and the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative on Food Security – Dr. David Nabarro
  • 4 side events reaching approximately 225 people in total, plus several additional speaking opportunities at side events on additional topics
  • Negotiations were completed on the Food Security in Protracted Crises, Water for Food Security and Nutrition, Global Strategic Framework, and Monitoring decision boxes.
  • 18 private sector representatives boarded the Italian-hosted train to Milan to attend the World Food Day celebration
  • 28 plenary speaking slots, including in the Opening Session, plus 4 panelists in plenary
  • Combined with the DG meeting and the bilaterals, there were a total of 78 planned interventions during the week, on top of dozens of interactive interventions
  • 1 new chairperson of CFS elected for a two-year term: Ambassador Amira Gornass, Sudan.

It was a pleasure to have all of you at the UN Committee on Food Security this year. There were so many activities and engagement has never been higher. In particular, it was noticeable that the interaction of the private sector delegation among yourselves has an increasing value. We greatly appreciate the efforts of “veterans” to assist others and to brief them on the CFS, plus all our many speakers who had to work within the constraints of 3 minute time allocations.

Your reflections on the week are highly valued, so please complete the survey at: http://goo.gl/forms/L6o7fYMvg2 Most notably, we take on board the comments in the post mortem on Thursday that the plenary speeches need to be more highly integrated into the actual debate at the CFS and must involve speakers committed to tracking the negotiations actively to be able to better represent the PSM in the discussions.

CFS 42 Official Website