ICC Agri-Food Initiative
The ICC Agri-Food Initiative supports companies in addressing challenges within the agri-food sector as a platform for collaboration, fostering partnerships, and driving impactful advocacy.
What is the ICC Agri-Food Initiative?
The ICC Agri-Food Initiative connects businesses with international organisations, governments and global partners to foster sustainable agriculture, promote innovation and expand trade opportunities. The ICC Agri-Food Initiative leverages ICC’s global network spanning over 170 countries and more than 1,500 chamber of commerce members affiliated to the ICC World Chambers Federation to deliver tailored solutions that strengthen the global food system.
How does the ICC Agri-Food Initiative work?
Partnerships
The ICC Agri-Food Initiative is a gateway for collaboration with the United Nations’ Rome-based agencies. These include the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
Engagement
The ICC Agri-Food Initiative offers opportunities for ICC national committees (NCs) and chambers of commerce to bolster their services while advancing sustainability goals.
Showcasing excellence
The ICC Agri-Food Initiative is a platform to highlight expertise, innovative projects and impactful collaborations.
What is the impact of ICC Agri-Food Initiative activities?
The ICC Agri-Food Initiative facilitates discussions and fosters active collaboration between institutions and businesses in the agri-food sector. Through tools, activities, and events, the ICC Agri-Food Initiative drives knowledge-sharing, promotes best practices, and supports the development of innovative projects. These efforts enable companies to adapt to the rapid changes of the global food market.
When was the ICC Agri-Food Initiative established?
Launched in March 2022, the first Agri-Food Hub was established by ICC Italy in Rome, home to United Nations agencies focused on food and agriculture. ICC’s Observer Status at the United Nations provides a privileged channel for fostering collaborations. This status encourages corporate involvement in international projects.
What are the priorities of the ICC Agri-Food Initiative?
Sustainability
The ICC Agri-Food Initiative helps companies and operators in the agri-food sector adapt to shifting market demands and consumer preferences for sustainable, responsible consumption. We support shared goals aligned with the United Nations agenda.
Innovation
Encouraging innovation is a cornerstone of the ICC Agri-Food Initiative. Through open innovation projects, we help businesses foster competitiveness and achieve long-term sustainable economic growth.
Trade and policy
The ICC Agri-Food Initiative is a platform for meaningful dialogue between companies and industry experts, promoting collaboration and shaping policies that strengthen the global food system.
Who can join the ICC Agri-Food Initiative?
- Companies: Small, medium, and large. Differentiated paths are available based on company revenue and size.
- Private partners: Service providers, consulting firms, individual professionals and experts.
- Institutional partners: National and international organisations and associations.
The ICC Agri-Food Initiative unites diverse players – from businesses and governments to academia and international organisations—through public-private partnerships, networking opportunities and innovative projects.
From field to fork – and challenges in between.
Together we can address them and shape how food reaches our plates.
What are the activities and services of the ICC Agri-Food Initiative?
Business networking
We create opportunities for collaboration and resource-sharing, serving as a facilitator for partnerships among companies, professionals and institutions. These synergies drive innovation and growth nationally and globally.
ICC Help Desk
Our Help Desk offers technical support from ICC partners, including one-on-one consultations and hands-on activities tailored to the three thematic pillars: sustainability, innovation, and trade and policy. This service ensures businesses receive actionable guidance to meet their specific needs.
Advocacy
The ICC Agri-Food Initiative actively engages in policy and regulatory discussions at both national and international levels. We serve as a key channel for collaboration with global institutions and authorities, participating in major forums such as UN climate negotiations (COP), G7 and G20. Additionally, the ICC Agri-Food Initiative fosters cooperation between the private sector and Rome-based UN agencies (FAO, WFP, IFAD), supported by a dedicated ICC desk in Italy.
Working groups
Our working groups guide the technical policy direction of the ICC Agri-Food Initiative, shaping operational plans for each of the three thematic pillars: sustainability, innovation, and trade and policy. Working groups address major sector challenges by developing policy products to inform intergovernmental discussions and facilitate international trade.
Events and training
Regular events and training sessions provide platforms for knowledge-sharing and in-depth analysis of critical issues impacting the agri-food sector. These activities help participants stay informed and adapt to emerging trends and challenges.
Interested in joining the ICC Agri-Food Initiative?
To join or learn more, please contact:
Featured projects
- FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative: Leveraging public-private partnerships for food and agriculture development
- Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty: Foundational member of the G20 initiative, collaborating to address global food security challenges
- EU Deforestation-Free Compliance Support: Assisting businesses in meeting regulatory requirements, in collaboration with the International Trade Centre and other stakeholders to provide high quality services and resources to our network
- B20 Contest on Food Loss and Waste Mitigation: Driving innovative and impactful solutions to reduce food loss and waste
- Luiss University Scholarship: Annual invitation for one ICC member to undertake a Master in Food Law at Luiss University
