UN Global Compact and International Trade Centre Join Forces to Increase SME Contribution to Global Food Security

(New York and Geneva, 9 March 2015) – The UN Global Compact and the International Trade Centre (ITC) aim to bolster the competitiveness of small- and medium-sized (SME) agribusinesses, enabling them to better contribute to global food security while making production more environmentally and socially sustainable. 

Meeting in New York today, ITC Executive Director Arancha González and UN Global Compact Executive Director Georg Kell agreed that ITC would leverage its Standards Map tool and Trade for Sustainable Development (T4SD) platform to disseminate the UN Global Compact Food and Agriculture Business Principles (FABPs) among small farmers and SMEs in the agribusinesses sector.

“ITC plays a critical role in enabling SME competitiveness globally”, said Georg Kell, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. “We are pleased to partner with them to leverage the FAB Principles on the ITC Standards Map, and enable SME agribusiness to contribute to ending hunger and achieving food security by improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture.”

Launched in September 2014, the six FAB Principles set out how business can help meet the challenge of feeding the world’s growing population, while simultaneously reducing the environmental footprint of agricultural production, and generating decent work for farming communities. The Principles urge businesses to aim for food security and nutrition; to be environmentally responsible; to respect the rights of farmers, workers and consumers; to respect land and resource rights; and to invest in new technologies and developing the capacities of smallholders and SMEs.

Intended as a framework for companies to collaborate with the UN, Governments, civil society and other stakeholders, the FAB Principles complement existing initiatives that advance sustainability in food and agriculture. They serve as an umbrella for voluntary standards and technical compliance platforms, such as those referenced on the ITC Standards Map. 

Arancha Gonzalez, Executive Director of ITC, noted: "The UN Global Compact FAB Principles are the essence of how responsible agribusiness should operate and successfully partner with Governments, NGOs and stakeholders." She added, "With this Global Compact framework, small famers and SMEs can make a principle-based commitment regardless of size, crop or location, and whether they are beginning or continuing their journey toward sustainability."

The ITC Standards Map provides comprehensive and comparative information on over 150 sustainability standards and codes of conduct, including many that are relevant in the farm sector, with the goal of strengthening the capacity of producers, exporters, policymakers and buyers to participate in more sustainable production and trade.

The UN Global Compact facilitated the development of the FAB Principles through a two-year global and inclusive multi-stakeholder process including more than 1,000 businesses, UN agencies and civil society organizations involved in agriculture, nutrition and food systems.

Contact

Puvan Selvanathan
Head of Food and Agriculture
UN Global Compact
puvan@unglobalcompact.org