The International Agri-Food Network (IAFN) was formed in 1996 during the World Food Summit as an informal coalition of international trade associations involved in the agri-food sector at the global level. The network facilitates liaison among the member organizations and engages international organizations in the agri-food chain at a global level.

The IAFN has been elected to coordinate the Private Sector Mechanism (PSM) at the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) in Rome. In addition, IAFN is a member of the Global Business Alliance for Sustainable Development by 2030. IAFN works collaboratively with the International Chamber of Commerce, the Farming First coalition, and consults with an array of other associations and companies that have expressed interest in the work of the UN Committee on World Food Security.

The primary purpose of the IAFN is to define and deliver the private sectors’ commitment to addressing global poverty and food security. Five key principles have been defined by the IAFN as the framework of this commitment.

Make agriculture an engine for development

Support entrepreneurship and private enterprise

Establish a conducive operating environment to add value to agriculture

Further research, development, and extension services

Capture the power of partnerships

 

The International Agri-Food Network brings together thirteen international organizations, which include thousands of international companies, and hundreds of national associations which represent tens of thousands of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), thousands of co-operatives, and millions of farmers. The associations, which comprise the Network, have members in 135 of the 193 countries in the UN. Participation in IAFN is open to any business association representing a sector in the agri-food chain at the global level, as well as national farmer organizations.