Platform topic: Sustainable/blended finance for food systems
We often hear that blended finance is the new frontier for agrifood system. As interest grows, expectations must meet reality. Rodrigo shares a practical perspective on its role in agriculture and rural development, and how DFIs can help turn ambition into action.
At the 2026 ECOSOC Partnership Forum, the Donor Platform and partners, including FAO, IFAD, World Meteorological Organization, and the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, examined how coordinated, cross-sectoral investments can accelerate resilient agrifood systems transformation and SDG progress. Read the key takeaways.
As global geopolitics shift, Alexander Müller explains why cutting investment in food and agriculture is a strategic risk, and what donors must do differently to meet the moment. Food and agriculture matter more than ever and can be part of the solution.
Respond to the call for impact investment projects focused on food security and improved nutrition. This 10-year programme strengthens smallholder resilience through technical assistance and investment in agricultural value chains. Funded by Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg,
20-24 April 2026 | UN HQ, New York | A central pillar of the Financing for Development process, the Forum builds on the momentum generated by the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development held in June 2025. This year’s Forum carries particular significance, serving as a key platform for advancing concrete outcomes and sustaining political momentum from FFD4.
From rethinking ODA and leveraging new resource flows to strengthening collaboration among donors, Lawrence Haddad reflected on a challenging year for development cooperation—and shared reasons for optimism in 2026. Read and watch the interview to hear his insights on the path forward for agriculture, nutrition, and food systems investment.
At CFS53, the GDPRD, FAO, and IFAD convened a high-level side event on the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations to address a critical question: how to mobilize and align investments to transform agrifood systems for a sustainable future.
The side event brought together donors, practitioners and development finance experts to explore how blended finance can more effectively mobilize capital for agrifood systems transformation and how its impact can be measured consistently.
3-5 November 2025 | Washington DC, USA. The Forum brings together practitioners from across sectors to shape the next decade of blended finance, exploring market trends, collaboration, and private sector solutions for sustainable development.
The 2025 Annual General Assembly will focus on "Investing in the Future of Agrifood Systems: New directions for development finance". The sessions will explore how agrifood systems can be financed into the future and what this means for donors in a rapidly changing development landscape. A fresh rethink is needed to ensure financing matches the scale of the challenges ahead.
The Global Donor Platform for Rural Development is a vibrant partnership, advocacy and knowledge network of key donors focusing on food security and rural development.
Secretariat hosted at the International Fund for Agricultural Development
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