Panel Discussion: Reactions from Civil Society to the launch of UNCTAD's Commodities and Development Report 2015

UNCTAD's Commodities and Development Report 2015: Smallholder Farmers and Sustainable Commodity Development will be launched by Mr. Joakim Reiter, Deputy Secretary General of UNCTAD, on the margins of the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi on Thursday 17 December.

After the launch, the event held in Geneva will give civil society representatives an opportunity to share their views on the Report's analysis and key messages.

The panel will be composed of:

• Mr. Samuel Gayi, Head of the Special Unit on Commodities, UNCTAD
• Mr. John Schluter, Café Africa
• Mr. Philippe Egger, Special Advisor, Development Innovations Network (IRED)/West Africa Farmers Organisation (ROPPA)
• Ms. Charlotte Libog, Founder and Coordinator, Afrique Grenier du Monde
• Mr. Alain Vergueylen, Executive Director, International Guarantee Fund (FIG)
• Dr. Shaila Seisha Gavin, Assistant Professor, The Graduate Institute

Summary of the Report

Smallholder farmers constitute the largest contingent of the poor and yet they produce more than 80 per cent of the world's food, in value terms. The Report highlights the range of constraints that they face in developing economies and specifically provides new analyses of the state of their integration into the global economy. It underlines that smallholder farmers are both victims of climate change and key actors in the achievement of a more inclusive and environmentally friendly development path.

The report argues for specific measures at the national, regional and global levels, including in international trade and investment agreements, for unleashing the full business potential of smallholders. It showcases good policy practices, including the role of strong political leadership in reversing the policy neglect that small farmers have suffered from.

"Business as usual" is not an option if the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is to be achieved. In light of this, the Report calls for greater resources to be devoted to supporting smallholders. It also urges for the establishment of an accountability mechanism for monitoring progress on key commitments related to smallholders.