Interview with GDPRD Board Member Mark Montgomery, Ireland

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Michelle Tang/GDPRD Secretariat: Ireland has long been a strong advocate for addressing hunger, nutrition and food systems through its development cooperation. What makes Ireland's approach distinctive?

Mark Montgomery/Ireland: Ireland is a long-standing champion of the fight against hunger and malnutrition, and we have consistently prioritised these issues in our foreign and development policy and in our development programming.

In part this draws from our own historical experience with famine and poverty, which underpins a steadfast and values-based approach. In recent years, Ireland has maintained our official development assistance (ODA), even during periods of global pressure.

Ireland is recognized globally for the commitment to ending malnutrition, with a focus on child malnutrition (or wasting). At the 2025 Nutrition for Growth summit in Paris, Ireland committed to provide €250 million annually over four years to support global nutrition efforts.

Another area we prioritize is working in the least developed contexts and with smallholder farmers. Supporting smallholder farmers' access to and inclusion in global markets and value chains helps build long-term, resilient, sustainable and nutritionally diverse food systems. Within that, we have a strong focus on women's economic empowerment and inclusive economic growth.

Ireland supports working multilaterally and delivering global public goods through science- and evidence-backed approaches to food systems transformation.

Michelle: What unique value does the Platform bring in today's rapidly evolving international landscape?

Mark: I've been delighted to be part of the Platform over the past year and a half since I joined this role. The collaboration and vision of the Platform are exactly what is needed.

We are operating in an incredibly fluid and rapidly changing landscape, with many different views challenging some previously held assumptions around development, inclusion and the critical importance of gender equality in achieving sustainable development outcomes.

One of the Platform's greatest strengths is the effectiveness and coherence it brings to discussions, underpinned by a rich technical understanding and strong evidence base. That evidence is incredibly important.

It also reflects values that we are very supportive of, particularly the cooperative spirit of multilateralism. Not only can we do more together, but we are more efficient when we work together and collaborate together.

In addition, the rigour of the evidence and technical analysis generated through the Platform has been incredibly beneficial. It is something we have been able to draw on considerably in our own policy development and engagements with ministers and missions.

Michelle: Ireland will host the Platform's Annual General Assembly on 2 December in Dublin as an Associated Event under Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Why was it important for Ireland to take on this role?

Mark: We're delighted and honoured to be hosting the Annual General Assembly. We think it's very timely. The overarching focus of our Presidency, in development cooperation, has been the future of development and in that, creating opportunities to have open conversation on the way forward in a changing context.

Within, this, we have a focus on the important role of food systems transformation. In our Presidency to date, in line with the work of the GDPRD, there has been a focus on how we can be more coherent and bring greater efficiencies to our engagement across our development programme and partnerships.

Food and agriculture are central to growth and livelihoods in many economies, particularly across Africa. Without inclusive economic growth, and sustainable agriculture, we will struggle to achieve the SDG 2 outcomes that we have long committed to and invested in.

This meeting is a timely opportunity to explore how greater investments in agrifood systems can deliver across development objectives including climate adaptation, women's economic empowerment, inclusive economic growth and nutritional diversification.

Michelle: This year's AGA will focus on "Unpacking the Strategic Return on Investment Potential from Agrifood Systems". From your perspective, what are the most compelling arguments for investing in agrifood systems?

Mark: I would like people to leave recognising the findings of the evidence base around the positive return on investment in agrifood systems.

There is a compelling case, outlined in the conference paper, that investment in agrifood systems can deliver broader social, economic and gender impact. But we need to communicate more clearly where that evidence exists and how it can guide investments to maximise impact.

Within this case, one of the most compelling arguments is not simply the economic returns to investment, but the broader social and human capital returns we can achieve through investing in agricultural systems.

We know that between 70 and 90 per cent of farmers, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, are smallholder farmers. Supporting their inclusion in sustainable and resilient value chains and inclusive markets will deliver a longer-term and more sustainable return on investment.

That is how we make real gains in the fight against poverty and hunger and deliver long-term development outcomes.

Michelle: What would success look like for the Platform in five years?

Mark: Success in five years would look like increased investments in inclusive, nutritionally diverse agrifood systems. Greater coordination would be reflected through more coherent blended finance approaches and an increased proportion of development assistance invested in climate resilient agriculture and food systems.

Looking ahead, we will be approaching the end of the SDG period. Ireland remains absolutely committed to this shared agenda and the importance of keeping a focus on the enduring challenge of poverty and hunger. A key question is how the Platform can continue to ensure that food and nutrition remain central to the global development agenda.

Michelle: Why should people join us in Dublin for the Annual General Assembly?

Mark: You're going to hear from fantastic speakers who have a huge amount of experience, expertise and understanding of both the challenges and opportunities of investing in agrifood systems, particularly in Africa but also globally.

It will be an opportunity to engage in dialogue with highly experienced people on a highly relevant and critical subject: how we support the transformation of food systems while ensuring there is an inclusive development return on that investment.

Join us in Dublin. Register now.