Permanent Representation of the Netherlands to the UN in Rome

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗔𝗢 🌱🤝 Today, together with Ambassador Ms. Jhenifer Mojica Florez and the Permanent Representation of Colombia to the UN in Rome, we hosted a special event at FAO Headquarters in celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity #BiodiversityDay. As co-chairs of the Group of Friends on Biodiversity at FAO, a multilateral coalition aiming to keep biodiversity high on the agenda across FAO’s work, we welcomed colleagues and partners for an important conversation on the relationship between business and biodiversity. As Ambassador Ms. Elske Smith  highlighted during her opening remarks: “𝘉𝘪𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨-𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳.” Speakers: 🔹 Matt Jones from UNEP-WCMC presented key findings from the new IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment, highlighting both the risks biodiversity loss poses to businesses and the urgent need to shift business operations toward nature-positive solutions. 🔹 Chiara Villani from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT shared inspiring examples of local action in agribusinesses in Colombia, demonstrating how communities and businesses can work together to protect biodiversity while improving livelihoods. 🔹 Willem Schoustra from SeedNL presented the Dutch public-private partnership SeedNL, showcasing how collaboration between governments, businesses, civil society, and knowledge institutions can preserve genetic diversity in the seed sector. We thank everyone for their participation and for contributing to this important discussion! #Biodiversityday #UnitedNations #FAO #IFAD #WFP #biodiversity #biologicaldiversity #SDG15 #KunmingMontreal #GBFF #CBD #COP17 #Armenia #Biodiversity #AgrifoodSystems #FoodSecurity #SustainableAgriculture #NaturePositive #BiodiversityConservation #PartnershipsForNature #PublicPrivatePartnerships #CollectiveAction #NatureInclusiveAgriculture #diplomacy #multilateralism #Rome

🚀 How can emerging food technologies contribute to enhanced food security in humanitarian and fragile contexts? During Rome Nutrition Week 2026, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Permanente Vertegenwoordiging van Nederland bij de VN in Rome are hosting an interactive lunchtime event exploring the potential of precision fermentation in food insecure contexts. Together with experts from the Food Standards Agency, FAO, and World Food Programme, we will discuss the opportunities, challenges and practical conditions needed for safe, affordable and scalable implementation. We are especially pleased to welcome contributions from Lavanya Kala (FSA), Masami Takeuchi (FAO), and Saskia de Pee (WFP) who will bring perspectives spanning food safety, regulation, nutrition, innovation and implementation in real-world contexts. 📅 Wednesday 27 May 2026 📍 FAO Acceleration Zone + online 🕧 12:45 – 13:45 We look forward to an engaging discussion with partners across governments, United Nations agencies and the global food systems community 🌍! 👉 Find out more about Rome Nutrition Week here: https://lnkd.in/ez8dMYxa 🔗 Sign up for online participation here: https://lnkd.in/efzCxPis #RomeNutritionWeek2026 #RNW26 #futurenutrition #foodsecurity #nutrition #precisionfermentation #foodinnovation #innovation #agrifoodsystems #humanitarianaction

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐀𝐎 𝐇𝐐: 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲-𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 🌍🚣 Today, in the garden of FAO Headquarters, Qu Dongyu, Director-General of FAO, officially unveiled a locally built fishing canoe, as part of the Fisher Community Resilience Enhancement Project in South Sudan, funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The project shows how community-driven and demand-led innovation can strengthen livelihoods while building local ownership and resilience. The Sudd in South Sudan is one of the world’s largest wetlands. During the wet season, it can expand to more than 130,000 km², covering nearly 21% of the country, and providing vital livelihoods and protein sources for many communities. Instead of relying on imported fiberglass canoes, FAO fisheries experts and local fishers worked together to develop plywood-epoxy boats using locally available materials and techniques. The results speak for themselves: ✅ Previous canoes often deteriorated after just one year, while the new boats can last at least 20 years. ✅ Strong local ownership through a highly participatory approach. ✅ Increased employment opportunities and economic activity in local fisheries markets. ✅ Reduced environmental impacts and greater self-reliance. The canoe presented today was built by Mr. Matt Bjerregaard Walsh together with local fishers in South Sudan. The Netherlands is proud to support this strong example of co-creation, local ownership, and innovation.💪   #UnitedNations #FAO #fisheries #acquaculture #foodsecurity #innovation #SouthSudan #participatory #action #community #local #resilience #canoe #garden #flowers #sustainability #diplomacy #multilateralism 

De blokkade van de Straat van Hormuz gaat enorme gevolgen hebben voor voedselzekerheid wereldwijd: zo kunnen gigantische hoeveelheden kunstmest niet hun bestemming bereiken, en dat zullen we merken in de oogsten volgend jaar. World Food Programme berekent dat als het conflict niet stopt het kan leiden tot 45 miljoen extra mensen met honger. Super relevant dat de Adviesraad Internationale Vraagstukken gisteren hun advies “Voedselzekerheid in een wankele wereld: een agenda voor Nederland”. Samen met collega Guido Landheer van het Ministerie van Landbouw, Visserij, Voedselzekerheid en Natuur nam ik vanuit Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken het advies in ontvangst in een zaal vol partners die zich elke dag inzetten voor voedselzekerheid in de wereld. Het advies raakt precies de kern van deze tijd. Voedselzekerheid is niet langer alleen een ontwikkelingsvraagstuk. Het gaat over geopolitiek, stabiliteit en veiligheid. Over de vraag hoe we omgaan met klimaatverandering, biodiversiteitsverlies, conflict en toenemende spanningen in de wereld. We zien het dagelijks gebeuren. Een conflict in het ene deel van de wereld werkt direct door in voedselprijzen, handelsstromen en beschikbaarheid van voedsel in een ander deel. Dit raakt kwetsbare landen, maar óók landen in Europa. Het huidige conflict in het Midden-Oosten laat dat opnieuw zien. De AIV maakt een duidelijk punt: voedselzekerheid vraagt om structurele aandacht en een stevige plek binnen het Nederlands buitenlandbeleid. Diplomatie, handel, investeringen en ontwikkelingssamenwerking versterken elkaar op dit thema. De komende maanden buigt het Kabinet zich over de aanbevelingen uit het advies. Het was goed om zoveel ‘Dutch Diamond’-partners samen te zien. Overheden, kennisinstellingen, maatschappelijke organisaties en bedrijven die elkaar weten te vinden en samen bouwen aan duurzame voedselsystemen. Juist in een wereld die steeds onzekerder wordt, moeten we blijven investeren in samenwerking. Want voedselzekerheid is geen bijzaak. Het is een randvoorwaarde voor stabiliteit, vrede en ontwikkeling. Ben je benieuwd? Lees het advies hier: https://lnkd.in/ecTkw5aK

𝗘𝗹𝘀𝗸𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗔𝗢 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿-𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗤𝗨 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘆𝘂 Last Friday, on 8 May 2026, Elske Smith officially handed over her Letter of Credentials to FAO DG Qu Dongyu at FAO Headquarters in Rome. Just three days after arriving in the Eternal City, she formally began her term as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to FAO, WFP and IFAD. This moment reflects the Netherlands’ longstanding partnership with the Rome-Based United Nations Agencies (RBAs). 👨🌾 As a founding member of FAO, the Netherlands continues to champion innovation, science-based solutions and multi-stakeholder collaboration to help transform global agrifood systems. 🤝 The Netherlands is also a longstanding and reliable partner of World Food Programme (WFP), supporting the organization’s humanitarian work through flexible and unearmarked contributions that allow the organization to respond rapidly where needs are greatest. 📈 As an early member and today IFAD’s fourth-largest core contributor, the Netherlands actively supports the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in reducing rural poverty, strengthening agricultural value chains and promoting innovation and private sector engagement. As a symbolic gesture, Ambassador Smith presented DG Dongyu with a book featuring ‘The Potato Eaters’ by Vincent van Gogh - reflecting our shared commitment to food security and sustainable agriculture, and DG Dongyu’s academic connection to the Netherlands, where he gained his doctorate at Wageningen University & Research, studying potatoes. A fitting moment as we also look ahead to the International Day of Potato on 30 May, celebrating one of the world’s most important food crops! 🥔 #UnitedNations #FAO #IFAD #WFP #foodsecurity #innovation #agriculture #sustainability #biodiversity #diplomacy #multilateralism #Rome #InternationalDayOfPotato #VanGogh #Aardappeleters Plantum SeedNL Royal Avebe BO Akkerbouw Nederlandse Aardappel Organisatie Vereniging voor de Aardappelverwerkende Industrie

𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Last week, we celebrated King’s Day together with the Ambassade van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden en het Consulaat-Generaal in Italië, alongside our dear colleagues and friends. In the Netherlands, King’s Day is not only a day of orange-themed festivities, but above all a celebration of unity and community. As Ambassador-designate Elske Smith noted during her speech: “𝘐𝘯 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 – 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 – 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭.”   This spirit lies at the heart of our work with the Rome-based UN organizations and is essential in addressing today’s global challenges, such as hunger, poverty, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Elske Smith highlighted the Netherlands’ commitment to working together in unity to build partnerships, uphold the international legal order, and tackle global challenges head-on.   We look back on a wonderful celebration and warmly thank everyone who joined us to celebrate this special occasion together. Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken Ministerie van Landbouw, Visserij, Voedselzekerheid en Natuur LVVN Attaché Netwerk

🚨 Last opportunity to apply for a JPO at WFP in Chad 🌍 Open to Dutch nationals and nationals of eligible countries! Are you eager to work on data-driven humanitarian assistance and contribute to food security? This is your chance! The Netherlands is sponsoring a Junior Professional Officer (JPO) position at the World Food Programme (WFP). As a JPO Vulnerability Assessment & Mapping (VAM) Officer, you will support food security analysis and vulnerability assessments, working with data, impact evaluations, and targeting strategies to improve the effectiveness of humanitarian assistance. Your work will include monitoring, economic analysis, risk modelling, and data visualization to strengthen evidence-based programming. 👉 https://lnkd.in/epkVriaF 💡 Fluency in English and French is required 📍 N’Djamena, Chad 📅 Deadline: 30 April 2026, so only 2 days left! 🌍 This opportunity is open to Dutch nationals as well as nationals of other eligible countries. See the full list of countries here: https://lnkd.in/evpqAR8p. This position is part of the Dutch JPO Programme, offering a unique opportunity to gain up to three years of hands-on experience within the United Nations system. Find more information about the JPO Programme via the Nedworc Foundation. #JPO #WFP #UNCareers #HumanitarianAid #FoodSecurity #NedWorc #Netherlands

𝗪𝗙𝗣 - 𝗛𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗠𝗮𝗽 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 🌍 Last Friday, 17th April, marked the launch of the next generation of HungerMap Live by World Food Programme, a major step forward in how we respond to global hunger. By integrating a wide range of food security data with AI-assisted predictive modelling, it provides real-time insights and forward-looking analysis across more than 50 countries. It strengthens early warning systems and enables anticipatory action, which helps humanitarian actors to respond before crises escalate. At a time when global food insecurity is rising sharply and resources are under pressure, tools like this are essential. The number of people facing acute food insecurity has increased sharply in recent years, to more than 319 million worldwide. This is more than twice as many as before the Covid-19 outbreak. With contributions from over 300 analysts and dozens of partners, HungerMap Live represents a major leap in data-driven humanitarian response to combat global food insecurity! As Cindy McCain, Executive Director World Food Programme, beautifully put it in her opening remarks: “𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘫𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦”. You can directly access the HungerMap Live at: hungermap.wfp.org #WFP #ZeroHunger

🌱 Junior Professional Officer (JPO) opportunity at FAO! Are you passionate about agribusiness, value chains, and sustainable food systems? Looking to gain hands-on experience in international development within the United Nations? This is your chance! The Netherlands is sponsoring a JPO position at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), focused on strengthening agribusiness and value chains worldwide. As Junior Professional Officer Agribusiness and Value Chains, you will provide analytical and technical support on value chain development, including market and sub-sector analysis, investment design, and private sector engagement. You will contribute to strengthening agrifood systems by supporting innovative finance solutions, enhancing competitiveness, and enabling sustainable and inclusive agricultural investments. 👉 https://lnkd.in/dpgqm2Cw 🇳🇱 Open to Dutch nationals (max. 32 years) 📍 Rome, Italy 📅 Deadline: 19 April 2026 As part of the Dutch JPO programme, this position offers a unique three-year entry pathway into the United Nations system, combining on-the-job experience, field missions, and continuous professional development within FAO’s Investment Centre. You’ll work on impactful projects contributing to global food security, private sector development, and the transformation of agrifood systems in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Find more information about the JPO programme via the Nedworc Foundation: https://lnkd.in/ez5yyZGi #JPO #FAO #UNCareers #internationaldevelopment #agribusiness #valuechains #privatesector #foodsystems #NedWorc #Netherlands