The Philippines’ commitment to continuously engage with the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) and promote development in commodity and agriculture sectors was reaffirmed at the 34th Annual Meeting of the CFC’s Governing Council (GC34) held on 14 December at The Marriott Hotel The Hague.
On behalf of Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, as Vice Chairperson for the Asia Pacific Region Group, First Secretary Irish Kay L. Kalaw-Ado delivered the Philippine statement citing the current administration’s prioritization of sectors which are also the focus of CFC programs. “This year’s meeting is of great importance to the Philippines as major changes in our national governance are taking place in three key sectors: agriculture, climate change and the environment and the promotion of UN sustainable development goals (SDGs). The CFC and the Philippines share these goals and we look forward to the achievement of these goals through closer partnership.”
The Philippines served as Vice Chairperson for the Asia Pacific Group for three consecutive years from 2019 to 2022.
The GC34 commenced with the opening remarks by Ambassador Oyarzabal and followed by the keynote address of Mihi Shirotori, Acting Director for Division on Trade and International Commodities of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. CFC Managing Director Amb. Belal also addressed the meeting.
Ambassador Eniola Ajayi of Nigeria was elected as new Chairperson of the Governing Council, while Ambassador Aruni Ranaraja of Sri Lanka took over the position of Vice Chairperson for the Asia Pacific Region Group.
Attended by some 90 Member States, the Governing Council is composed of the Governors and Alternate Governors of 101 Member States divided into 6 regional groups, namely Africa, Latin America and Caribbean, OECD, China, Russian Federation and the Asia Pacific.
Established in 1989, the CFC is an autonomous intergovernmental financial institution undertaking impact investments in the agricultural sector. It was created within the auspices of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. // END