The FAO Private Sector Dialogue: Shaping Private Sector Perspectives was held on 29 April in Izmir, Türkiye, jointly organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Izmir Commodity Exchange (ICE). The consultation provided a strategic platform to align private sector perspectives with regional food security and sustainable agriculture objectives, positioning Izmir as a hub for agrifood diplomacy in Europe and Central Asia.
The event gathered around 30 stakeholders, including private sector representatives, SMEs, producer organizations, financial institutions, public officials, and senior representatives from FAO and ICE. Organized in a hybrid format, it also served as a preparatory platform for the upcoming 35th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe (ERC35) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, from 11 to 15 May 2026. Outcomes from the dialogue will directly feed into regional policy discussions.
Opening remarks by Işınsu Kestelli, Chairperson of ICE, emphasized the importance of aligning FAO’s global vision with local dynamics to enhance productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness in agriculture. Raimund Jehle, FAO Deputy Regional Representative, highlighted the private sector’s role in strengthening supply chains and resilience through innovation and investment. Ayşegül Selışık, FAO Assistant Representative in Türkiye, stressed how private sector contributions can drive agrifood system transformation, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and digital innovation.
Kahraman Akdoğan, Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry in Izmir, underscored the urgency of collaboration between public and private sectors in light of climate and geopolitical crises. He noted that the common messages emerging from the meeting would serve as a foundation for future strategies.
The event also introduced FAO’s Private Sector Engagement Strategy 2026–2030, presented by Carlos Watson, Head of FAO’s Private Sector Unit. The strategy aims to accelerate agrifood system transformation by leveraging private sector innovation and investment. Successful examples of FAO’s collaboration in Türkiye, including partnerships with İş Bankası, Migros, and Pınar Süt, were shared.
Consensus was reached on priority messages to be presented at ERC35 in Dushanbe, with two private sector representatives designated to advocate for these perspectives. The outcome report will contribute directly to regional policy processes, supporting the future of agrifood systems and advancing global food security and sustainable agriculture objectives.
