Solomon Islands participated in the World Food Forum held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy, from 17 to 21 October 2022. This year the World Food Forum included two new events, the Hand-in-Hand Initiative’s first-ever Investment Forum, and the Science and Innovation Forum.
Michael Hoóta Deputy Secretary Technical, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock represented Solomon Islands and was accompanied by Ms Xiangjun Yao, FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands, Mr. Raushan Kumar FAO Forestry Officer SAP/ Lead technical Officer for Pacific Projects and Douglas Yee, Integrated Forest Management Project Coordinator in FAO office Solomon Islands.
The main aim of the Investment Forum is the partnership-building between all the actors involved in the development of a country. It provided a platform for national authorities, global and national corporations, multilateral development banks and donors to hold an open discussion about the strengths and opportunities that selected Hand-in-Hand countries offer in specific rural areas. The Forum was driven by insights and contributions of prominent participants to bring forward the perspective of the food value chain industry with the aim of increasing asset allocation to long-term sustainable investments across and beyond national markets. It emphasized specific sectors and opportunities with the greatest development impact and return, the policy reforms and the instruments required in order to mobilize greater private investment flow.
