Vienna, 15 June 2022. Bernardo Calzadilla-Sarmiento, Managing Director of UNIDO and Aldin Hilbrands, Director General of the Foundation FSSC, signed a trust fund agreement to promote food safety from farm to fork in low- and middle-income countries. The agreement runs for an initial period of three years.
The project aims to develop robust food safety systems in selected low- and middle-income countries through capacity-building activities to reduce the socio-economic impact of food-borne diseases. Every year, two selected low- and middle income countries will receive support in creating a food safety culture at different levels. From food safety practitioners and small and medium enterprises to national food associations and food safety authorities, the aim is to ensure that the food they make or control is safe for local consumption.
"Giving back is a key element to achieving FSSC's vision for creating a better world. The partnership with UNIDO forms an integral part of our giving-back strategy".Aldin Hilbrands, Director General of the Foundation FSSC
He added that besides the partnership to support food safety capacity building for local production and consumption in developing countries, Foundation FSSC also participates actively by sharing knowledge to support the local development of strengthened food safety systems.
UNIDO partnering with the non-profit Foundation FSSC will have a synergetic effect on accelerating and scaling up its development impact as part of the Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development approach. The project will donate FSSC’s available funds and provide knowledge resources to support Food Safety capacity building for local production and consumption in developing countries. Foundation FSSC will join existing technical cooperation projects and new joint projects.
“UNIDO has a strong track record in promoting food safety along the entire value chain through effective food safety capacity building initiatives and is committed to partner with FSSC for reducing the socioeconomic impact of foodborne diseases in selected low- and middle-income countries”Bernardo Calzadilla-Sarmiento, Managing Director of UNIDO
He stressed that global food safety is a shared responsibility which requires collaboration and partnerships among all involved in the food production and distribution and among all concerned international organizations, countries and the business sector.
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About Foundation FSSC
Foundation FSSC is the global non-profit and independent Scheme owner to provide trust and deliver impact to the consumer goods industry. At FSSC, we have been delivering impact on global food safety for over 12 years. We do so by supporting the consumer goods industry in implementing ISO-based management systems, reaching its objectives and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
About UNIDO
Through a range of technical cooperation services targeted at food and non-food sectors, the Department of Agribusiness assists developing countries to add value to their agricultural output and generate off-farm employment opportunities in rural communities, thereby contributing to rural economic development and structural transformation. The Department fosters innovative approaches to building human capital and raising productivity, in particular through vocational and entrepreneurship training and industrial skills development in partnership with the private sector.
Collaborating with International Financial Institutions, private sector, and other UN agencies, the department also supports rural industrial infrastructure for the development of agribusiness corridors that promote private sector investment in agriculture and agribusiness.
The activities contribute to food security, poverty reduction, youth employment, women’s economic empowerment, addressing the root causes of migration at the origin, which drive growth in productivity and employment, and create the prosperity in rural communities. In particular, The Sustainable Food Systems Division fosters ISID through the promotion of food systems that deliver food and nutrition security without compromising economic, social, and environmental bases to generate food security and nutrition for future generations. The Division is responsible for identifying, developing and managing programmes to improve the competitiveness of the food and agribusiness sectors through access to support services, finance, markets and trade opportunities.
