Evaluation of the FAO Strategy for Partnerships with the Private Sector

At the time of its adoption in 2013, FAO’s Strategy for Partnerships with the Private Sector contributed to more private sector collaboration and resulted in several formal agreements being signed. Following the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, and the SDGs, several UN organizations shifted gear and established deeper and more proactive partnerships with the private sector. In this context, FAO has not positioned itself to fully capitalize on such potential and maintains a more conservative approach. Meanwhile, those partnership formalized by FAO with private sector entities have yielded positive but limited results, and appear to have been more opportunistic and reactive. FAO should strategize on its engagement with the private sector by identifying priority thematic areas for collaboration.