PSM Committees
PSM committees are following negotiations and key meetings at FAO, in keeping with the 2025 workplan. We have rolled over the membership of these committees from previous years. If you wish to be a member of any of these committees, or, if you are a member and wish to be removed from the distribution lists, please contact francesca@emergingag.com:

• Strengthening Urban and Peri-Urban Food Systems
• Building Resilient Food Systems
• Reducing Inequalities Committee
• Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment +4
• Nutrition
• Climate
• World Food Forum (includes Science and Innovation Committee which sometimes meets separately)
• Responsible Agriculture Investment (activated when required)
• Digital Agriculture (activated when required)

Reminder: PSM AGM – Save the Date!
The PSM Annual General Meeting will be held on 2 July at the Capo d' Africa in Rome. Please register here and stay tuned for more details! For further information, please contact francesca@emergingag.com.

Reminder: FAO Strategy for Private Sector Engagement (2021-2025)
Your input matters!
The Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division at FAO is updating the FAO Strategy for Private Sector Engagement (2021-2025) and seeking feedback from the Private Sector to help shape the revised strategy. To contribute, PSM members are invited to provide input through the survey available here. The feedback collected will help identify areas for improvement and explore new opportunities for collaboration under the renewed strategy.

Election of PSM Focal Point
The PSM Focal Point is elected every two years. The next election will be held at the 2025 Annual General Meeting on 2 July. Organizations wishing to let their name stand for the role of focal point should contact francesca@emergingag.com by 28 April 2023. The International Agri-Food Network (IAFN) currently fills this role.

Bioeconomy Updates
With the support of the German Government, the FAO is undertaking new work on bioeconomy. They are seeking a private sector volunteer to assist in developing a method for FAO engagement with a focus on the impediments to creating bioeconomies. This potential partnership or ongoing modality will be developed over the course of the next half year. To support this effort, Nate Blum, CEO of Sorghum United, has volunteered on behalf of PSM to contribute to the working group shaping this framework, and further updates will be forthcoming. Additionally, UNEP will continue to be engaged on circular economy while FAO will be endeavoring to develop a leadership role on bioeconomy.

New UN Expert Group Launched to Strengthen Global FSN Data
A newly established UN Expert Group on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN) Data and Statistics aims to streamline and strengthen global FSN data by promoting a harmonized, coordinated approach and addressing key data gaps. A core focus will be developing a "minimum set of key indicators" to support better policymaking without overlapping with existing SDG indicators. The group will draft proposals throughout the year, hold consultations in September, and report progress by March 2026. Notably, while the Terms of Reference allow membership from countries, international organizations, academia, and research institutions, additional members including potentially from business or civil society can be recommended by the Group or UNSC.

Global Soil Partnership Highlights
The Global Soil Partnership (GSP) welcomed Thorunn Wolfram Petursdottir as its new Secretary, bringing over 20 years of experience in sustainable land and soil management. In March, significant milestones included Argentina aligning its soil labs with global standards, Mexico expanding the Global Soil Doctors Programme to benefit over 4,000 farmers, and Costa Rica advancing soil health through the RECSOIL initiative. A global workshop in Thailand highlighted the vital link between soil health and nutrition, with participants from Burkina Faso, Colombia, Mexico, and Thailand. Additionally, Argentina launched its Soil Doctors Programme, and GSP strengthened collaboration with the Pacific Soil Partnership to combat soil degradation.

Driving Gender Equality: Commit to Grow Equality in Focus
A newly What if agrifood systems fully unlocked the potential of women? The Commit to Grow Equality initiative is making that vision a reality. Launched as a global call to action, it unites governments, the private sector, civil society, and multilateral agencies to invest in gender equality across agrifood systems. The first 2025 Progress Report spotlights 17 concrete partner commitments across six thematic areas, all aiming to dismantle barriers and close gender gaps in productivity, wages, and decision-making. With gender-responsive investments, the potential impact is staggering, increasing global GDP by nearly USD 1 trillion and reducing food insecurity by 45 million people. Catch up on the recent New York event celebrating these commitments; watch the event recording here (Password: CGE@NYC2025), and dive into the full 2025 Progress Report here.

Food Systems Summit
Meeting with the CFS Advisory Bureau in March, the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations advised that one focus of the FSS+4 Stocktake in July will be on investment with particular emphasis on what the Private Sector and Business have been able to do towards food systems transformation. Discussions will focus on what new actions need to be taken and how to accelerate progress. It was made clear that the Private Sector is a critical actor to move forward and to create scale.

The Food Systems Coordination Hub has provided registration links for upcoming regional meetings. If you are interested in being part of the FSS delegation in July 27-29 in Ethiopia, kindly let bibi@emergingag.com know. Please see the schedule below:

Urban - Peri Urban Macro Committee
The process to develop Policy Recommendations on "Strengthening Urban and Peri-Urban Food Systems to Achieve Food Security and Nutrition in the Context of Urbanization and Rural Transformation," started at CFS 52 with a presentation of the main findings of the HLPE Report on "Strengthening Urban and Peri-Urban Food Systems to Achieve Food Security and Nutrition in the Context of Urbanization and Rural Transformation". Following this CFS stakeholders were invited to send written inputs highlighting their views on priority issues to be addressed during the CFS policy convergence process. A zero draft of the policy recommendations was circulated in February 2025, followed by an OEWG on March 7th followed by a call for written inputs to which the PSM responded. A first draft is expected in mid-April; to be followed by a second call for written inputs and this would form the basis for negotiations in June and July 2025.

Climate Macro Committee
FAST: IAFN has joined as an observer the FAST Partnership, the flagship FAO initiative on climate change, particularly aimed at enhancing climate finance contributions to the transformation of agrifood systems. As an observer in the Partnership, IAFN aims to provide expert insights from the private sector on key issues related to climate finance, sustainable agriculture, and food systems, facilitate the exchange of best practices and innovative solutions to support the goals of the Partnership and strengthen public-private collaboration to drive sustainable and resilient food systems forward.

SB 62: The preparation for the SB62 Bonn session in June is underway, with a particular focus on the Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Work on Agriculture (SJWA) workshop centered on sustainable agriculture and food systems. While the exact date and duration are yet to be confirmed, the first week of the session is the most likely period for the workshop, which is expected to be a one-day discussion. A diverse range of stakeholders has contributed suggestions for the workshop design, with a total of 33 submissions, including from the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, and 8 other countries. Contributions have also come from intergovernmental organizations like IUCN and FAO, as well as the UNCFS, highlighting the upcoming 12 May HLF on the Right to Food and its link with the Rio Conventions. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) provided additional input, along with business organizations such as IFA, which focused on nutrient use efficiency. The business constituency submission, coordinated through PSM, has highlighted the need to focus the workshop discussion on soil health, sustainable livestock transformation, trade, innovation, and carbon markets. Overall, the submissions call for the workshop to focus on promoting policy coherence, climate-resilient agricultural practices, inclusivity for marginalized voices, and showcasing successful action-oriented approaches.

COP30: A recent letter from the COP30 Presidency suggests that key priorities for Brazil will include leveraging collective action through Brazil's indigenous "mutirão" (working together to achieve a shared goal), promoting the creation of a "Circle of Presidencies" that will bring together the COP21 to COP29 presidencies and the CBD and UNCCD presidencies, with a focus on forests and the implementation of existing commitments such as NDCs and GST. Brazil also seeks to bring adaptation to the same level of importance as mitigation and progress climate finance talks toward the target of $1.3 trillion for climate finance annually by 2035.

Climate Weeks will be held twice a year on a rotational basis in different regions, maintaining a global scope. The first Climate Week of 2025 will take place in Panama City, Panama, from 19 to 23 May, while the second Climate Week is planned to take place in advance of COP30. More information and details on the new Climate Weeks, including the upcoming one in Panama, will be published on the dedicated webpage in due course.

Upcoming CFS High-Level Forum: Addressing Climate Change and Food Security
On 12 May 2025, the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) will host a High-Level Forum at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, focused on tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation through the right to food. The forum will bring together key stakeholders to streamline the right to food framework within Rio Conventions processes, reinforcing the importance of policy coherence and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Join this critical conversation and contribute to shaping solutions for a resilient and sustainable food system. For more details, visit CFS Website.

Save the Date: Policies Against Hunger Conference 2025
Join the international "Policies Against Hunger" Conference, organized by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), from 23-25 June 2025 in Berlin. Under the theme "From Rights to Action! The Right to Food as a Compass for Resilient Food Systems," this year's conference will focus on access to land, empowering women and girls, bioeconomy for food security, responsible agricultural supply chains, and the right to food in the Global North. For more information and to stay updated, contact policies-against-hunger@ble.de or visit Policies Against Hunger.

Save the Date: FAO Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation
A new The Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation will be held from September 29 to October 1, 2025, at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, with hybrid participation options. Building on the 2023 conference, this year's edition will pivot from dialogue to action, focusing on fostering change, scaling innovations, and driving solutions to transform the livestock sector sustainably. The conference will serve as a key platform for policymakers, farmers, researchers, industry leaders, and civil society to strengthen partnerships, share knowledge, and commit to sustainable livestock practices. More details can be found here.

10th Annual STI Forum – Registration Open
Registration is now open for the 10th Annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum), taking place from 7 - 8 May 2025 at UN Headquarters in New York. This year's forum, themed "Advancing sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based science and technology solutions for the 2030 Agenda," will bring together policymakers, scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and promote technology for sustainable development. Representatives without valid UN Grounds Passes can register by 18 April 2025 via this link: Multi-stakeholder Webinar on the 2026 UN Water Conference | Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Upcoming Events
PSM Events

• 2 July: PSM AGM – Rome
• 1 October: PSM Quarterly Call
• 10 December: PSM Quarterly Call

FAO Events

• 7 March: Open-Ended Working Group on Strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems – FAO HQ
• 7-11 April: 177th FAO Council – FAO HQ
• 2-6 June: Negotiations on Strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems (1st round) – FAO HQ
• 16-18 June: Biotechnologies for a Sustainable Future: Driving Agrifood Systems Transformation – FAO HQ
• 28 June-4 July: 44th FAO Conference – FAO HQ
• 7 July: 178th FAO Council – FAO HQ
• 8-11 July: Negotiations on Strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems (2nd round) – FAO HQ
• 21 July: Negotiations on Strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems (2nd round) – FAO HQ
• 28-30 July: 2nd United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+4) – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• 8-9 September: UNFCCC Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) Forum – FAO HQ
• 29 September-1 October: Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation – FAO HQ
• 13-17 October: World Food Forum – FAO HQ
• 16 October: World Food Day – FAO HQ
• 20-24 October: CFS 53 – FAO HQ
• 1-5 December: 179th FAO Council – FAO HQ

Stay engaged and mark your calendars for these key moments in 2025!

Disclaimer
All Gafta Circulars and Notices are provided to Members purely for the purposes of information. We have not taken any steps to verify the accuracy of the information provided and, accordingly, Members must obtain their own independent professional advice as to its content and effect. We cannot accept any liability, howsoever arising, for any loss or damage which may be caused by any reliance on any information contained in a Gafta Circular or Notice.