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UN participates in first national Agri-Investment Forum and Expo

23 May 2022

H.E. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali (second from right) and Prime Ministers Mia Amor Mottley (Barbados), Gaston Browne (Antigua and Barbuda), Hon. John Briceno (Belize), and Dr Keith Rowley (Trinidad and Tobago), with UN UNICEF Deputy Representative, Irfan Akhtar and staff from FAO, WFP, and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator at the UN booth during the Agri-Investment Forum. — Caption: H.E. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali (second from right) and Prime Ministers Mia Amor Mottley (Barbados), Gaston Browne (Antigua and Barbuda), Hon. John Briceno (Belize), and Dr Keith Rowley (Trinidad and Tobago), with UNICEF Deputy Representative, Irfan Akhtar and staff from FAO, WFP, and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator at the UN booth during the Agri-Investment Forum.

Strengthening the development of the Region’s Agri-Food Systems high on the agenda.

May 29 - 21 saw the hosting of Guyana's first Agri-Investment Forum and Expo, under the theme 'Investing in Vision 25 by 2025'. Organised by the Government of Guyana and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat the overall goal of the event was "to achieve the 25% by 2025 vision of reducing regional food imports by fostering accelerated and targeted investment in agriculture and food production and its business ecosystem within CARICOM member states."

At the Forum the UN, in collaboration with USAID, organised a development partners and donor roundtable, which provided a unique platform to draw upon the collective expertise and resources of development partners in the region with the ambition of facilitating targeted financing of and investments in innovative initiatives that contribute to food security and sustainable growth.

Two panel discussions were held on 'policy and facilitating environment for investment' and 'financing instruments and tools for private investment mobilization'. Contributing partners to the dialogues were USAID, FAO, IICA, Global Affairs Canada, IFC/WB, IDB Invest, British High Commission, and Republic Financial Holdings. The session featured the participation of Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and CARICOM Heads of Government from Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, and Trinidad and Tobago.

UN participation also took the form of facilitatory roles by FAO and WFP during plenary sessions.

Additionally, there was a joint UN booth throughout the exhibition.