The primary purpose of the IAFN is to define and deliver the private sectors? commitment to addressing global poverty and food security. Five key principles have been defined by the IAFN as the framework of this commitment:

Make agriculture an engine for development
Support entrepreneurship and private enterprise
Establish a conducive operating environment to add value to agriculture
Further research, development, and extension services
Capture the power of partnerships The International Agri-Food Network (IAFN) was formed in 1996 as an informal coalition of international trade associations involved in the agri-food sector at the global level. The network facilitates liaison and coordination among the member organizations and engages international organizations in the agri-food chain at a global level. The network represents this agri-food business group in a number of international settings, such as the United Nations? Committee on World Food Security and Nutrition (CFS). In addition, IAFN works collaboratively with the International Chamber of Commerce, the Farming First coalition, and consults with an array of other associations and companies that have expressed interest in the work of the UN Committee on World Food Security.

IAFN members are organised in several working groups to provide inputs and exchange information about some the most important topics concerning the Post 2015 SDG:
Responsible agricultural investment
Nutrition & Post ICN2
Food security in protracted crises
Sustainable forestry for food security and nutrition
Livestock and sustainable development
Talent development
Water and food security
Access of smallholders to markets

The 41st annual Plenary of the CFS 2014 saw a record-breaking PSM delegation of almost 90 business leaders from 30 different countries gather in Rome, representing a myriad of different perspectives from all stages of the agri-food value chain.

Significantly, CFS41 symbolised the culmination of more than two years of work of our business group on the drafting of the Principles on Responsible Agricultural Investment (RAI). The PSM?s participation in the drafting of the Principles was encouraged and welcomed by CFS member governments and stakeholders.

Members of IAFN and the private sector were active during the 2nd International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) which took place from November 19th to 21st at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome.

During the Interactive Hearing with Civil Society convened by the President of the General Assembly on May 26-27, Robynne Anderson, Director General of the International Agri-Food Network, had the opportunity to be the final speaker. The Post 2015 agenda will set new Sustainable Development Goals to create the world we want in 2015. Her remarks on monitoring and reporting emphasize the instrumental roles for all stakeholders and the willingness of business to take up the new agenda when it is finalised in September.

In March members of the Private Sector Mechanism (PSM) were at the UN FAO Head Quarters in Rome to give their views on how new Principles on Responsible Agricultural Investment can be used to respond to the urgent need to increase global investment in farm production. The ten Principles were endorsed by the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS) in October 2014 and are designed to ?provide a framework to rethink investment in agriculture and food systems?. The agri-business community was invited to help draft the Principles, which look at natural resource use, land rights, employment, empowerment of women, farm innovation, and more.
Given that IAFN Mandate is to represent the agri-food companies at international level, IAFN itself does not organize activities at national level. However many of the members, either from IAFN or from the Private Sector Mechanism, do undertake many activities relevant to the Post 2015 Sustainable Development Agenda. YES - IAFNannualreport20141.pdf Rick White, Canada, Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA)
Howard Minigh, USA, CropLife International
Hakan Bahceci, Turkey, Global Pulse Confederation (GPC)
Carel du Marchie Sarvaas, The Netherlands, HealthforAnimals
Rajeev Chahuan, India, Himalayan Apple Growers Society (HAGS)
Sophie Ryan, UK, Global Salmon Initiative (GSI)
Jaine Chisholm Caunt, UK, The Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA)
John Connelly, USA, International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA)
Charlotte Hebebrand, Germany/ USA, International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA)
Michael Keller, Germany, International Seed Federation (ISF)
Brent Babb, USA, U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) IAFNGOVERNANCEGUIDELINES20151.pdf