Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Maximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist, on the Hand-in-Hand Initiative Investment Forum 2026

Duration: 2:40 375 transcript words EN summary

Video summary

The FAO's Hand-in-Hand Initiative addresses the critical challenge of global food insecurity by shifting the focus from national averages to robust data-driven analysis and scientific evidence. This approach is essential for reducing inequality and tackling hunger and malnutrition effectively. By utilizing advanced geospatial analysis and economic modeling, the initiative empowers member states to identify and prioritize specific territories where investment plans can yield the greatest impact on agricultural food systems while ensuring healthy returns for investors. To secure these investments, the initiative integrates four key pillars that work in unison. Governments establish national priorities and implement them, while the private sector provides the essential capital needed to achieve sustainable development goals. International financial institutions and development banks participate to make investments safer and more viable, and FAO offers technical support grounded in financial, social, and environmental sustainability. This combination helps de-risk investments technically and financially, allowing investors to better understand priorities and opportunities, thereby fostering confidence in their contributions. The annual Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum brings these stakeholders together in Rome to accelerate priority agricultural food investments. In 2025, thirty-one countries and six regional initiatives presented investment plans totaling 17 billion, with the potential to benefit 159 million people. The upcoming 2026 forum is expected to be the largest to date, featuring participation from 35 countries and five regional initiatives. The event will include high-level discussions on strategic value chains, thematic sessions on partnerships and innovation, and special focus areas for Haiti and the Lobos Corridor, all supported by a dedicated matchmaking app for bilateral meetings between investors and governments. In an era of increasing geopolitical uncertainties and climate shocks, the forum aims to mobilize large-scale investments to strengthen food security and nutrition. By connecting governments with private investors, development banks, foundations, and donors, the initiative directs resources toward building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural food systems. Ultimately, this collaborative effort ensures that decisions are guided by evidence rather than political considerations, creating lasting impact for vulnerable populations worldwide.

Read the full video transcript

Today, billions of people still face food insecurity. To address hunger and malnutrition and reduce inequality, countries need to rely on a strong data, so economic analysis and scientific evidence rather than national averages or political considerations. FAO's Haninghan Initiative use advanced ge analysis and economic modeling to support member states identify and prioritize territories to develop investment plans that can have the greatest impact on their agri food systems and healthy returns to investors. The initiative brings together four key pillars to secure investments. First, governments. They develop national priorities and implement them. Second, the private sector. Their investments are essential to achieving sustainable development goals. And third, international financial institutions and development banks. The participation makes the investment safer and viable. Finally, FAO's technical support ensures that decisions are guided by robust data and evidence grounded in financial, social, and environmental sustainability for lasting impact. By combining these pillars, the hand in hand helps to derisk investments both technically and financially so that investors can better understand priorities, opportunities and returns and invest with confidence. Every year the Hanihan Initiative investment forum brings these four pillars to Rome to accelerate priority agri food investments. In 2025, 31 countries and six regional initiatives put forward 17 billion in investment plans with the potential to benefit 159 million people. This year, investment forum will take place between October 13th and the 16th in Rome. We expect it to be the largest one to date. 35 countries will present their national plans. The forum will also feature five regional initiatives. There will also be high level discussions on the strategic value chains and thematic sessions exploring the role of partnerships and innovation in agri food system transformation. We will also hold special sessions on Haiti and the lobby corridor. Through a dedicated matchmaking app, investors can have bilateral meetings with governments to discuss national plans and co-inancing opportunities. In the face of increasing geopolitical uncertainties and climate chocks, we must make sure that investments are driven by data and technology and directed to build resilience by connecting governments with private investors, development banks, foundations, and donors. The forum mobilizes large-scale investments to strengthen food security and nutrition and build resilient, inclusive and sustainable agri food systems.