Global Agri-business Alliance to tackle environmental, social challenges

Focus to be on achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030

Thirty-six leading agri-business companies have launched an alliance in Singapore on Thursday, aiming to collectively tackle the major environmental and social challenges facing agricultural supply chains and rural communities across the world.

The newly-formed the Global Agri-business Alliance (GAA) is a CEO-led private sector initiative seeking to contribute significantly to the delivery of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, most notably 'End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture'.

The companies already involved are headquartered across the world with representation from Africa, Asia, Australia, USA and South America and are involved in multiple commodities, including grains, dairy, edible nuts, edible oils, pulses, rubber, sugar, as well as agro-chemicals.

The GAA is unique in bringing together the companies operating closest to the farmgate and therefore having the greatest influence on the stewardship of natural resources and surrounding communities, many of whom may also be employed by the sector.

Member profile includes growers and producers, traders, fertiliser, agro-chemical and seed suppliers, agri-service providers, primary processors and agri-tech suppliers for both food and non-food crops.

"Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 will change our world: eradicating poverty, tackling climate change and ensuring a prosperous, safe and healthy future for our children and grandchildren," said David Nabarro, special advisor to the UN Secretary-General on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Climate Change.

"The SDGs also represent investment opportunities for responsible businesses, and are essential for sustainable economic growth. Achieving the SDGs will only be possible with the full commitment of the business community, transforming their business models to deliver also social and environmental value, and working in partnership with the public sector and civil society," added Nabarro. 

"The launch of the Global Agri-business Alliance is excellent news for the SDGs," said Nabarro.

While many agri-companies already collaborate with non-governmental organisations, technical implementers, consumer brands and retailers, the members of the GAA will harness their collective strengths at the 'front-line' of agricultural production to help bring the scale and impact required to drive major change.

Members will collaborate to improve rural livelihoods and working conditions, mitigate climate risks and manage natural capital sustainably at the landscape-level.

More than 300 delegates attended the forum and the launch of GAA on Thursday.