Ambassador Belal Highlights the Need for Inclusive Negotiation at Clingendael Institute
The Hague, 7 May 2025 – Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), participated in the Clingendael Institute’s International Negotiations Course. The event brought together high-level experts to engage with diplomats and professionals on the evolving dynamics of international negotiation.
Ambassador Belal shared insights from his diplomatic and development experience, highlighting the importance of inclusive, human-centered approaches in global negotiations, particularly for those often left out of decision-making processes, such as smallholder farmers. The session reflected the CFC’s ongoing commitment to promoting fair and sustainable development through dialogue and partnership.
“Negotiation is not about dominance, it’s about designing a table where everyone has a seat,” he told participants, underscoring the need for empathy, inclusion, and justice in international negotiations.
Citing real-world examples from the commodity sector, including the case of vanilla farmers in Madagascar who receive only a fraction of the market value for their labor-intensive crop, Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal emphasized the human impact behind global supply chains. He called for negotiation frameworks that serve not only states and investors, but also the three billion smallholder farmers whose voices are too often left out of the room.
Reflecting on the evolution of his own approach to negotiation, he shared: "At the CFC, I’ve learned we often negotiate on behalf of people who are never at the table. That understanding changes the way we speak, and the outcomes we seek."
The Clingendael Institute’s program bridges theory and practice by inviting practitioners to share lived experience. Through candid exchanges with participants, he encouraged future diplomats and negotiators to ask a critical question of every deal: Does it make the weakest party better off? If not, he advised, "pause, rethink, and rewrite."
His closing metaphor left a lasting impression: "Negotiation, like farming, is sowing seeds. You plant ideas, nurture trust, and wait patiently. Diplomacy is not chess, it’s composting. Every interaction feeds the future."
The Clingendael Institute’s dedication to fostering global peace and equitable negotiations through training and dialogue was evident throughout the session, reinforcing its vital role in shaping a more just and collaborative world.
The CFC remains committed to promoting inclusive dialogue and sustainable solutions that empower producers, build resilient markets, and ensure that international cooperation delivers tangible benefits to those who need them most.
About the CFC:
The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) is an intergovernmental financial institution dedicated to supporting sustainable development in commodity-dependent developing countries. Through impact investment, technical cooperation, and partnerships, the CFC empowers producers, strengthens value chains, and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
About Clingendael Institute:
The Clingendael Institute is a leading Dutch think tank and training center specializing in international relations, diplomacy, and negotiation. It provides research, analysis, and practical training to diplomats, policymakers, and professionals worldwide.
For media inquiries, please contact:
[CFC Media Relations Team]
[Email: managing.director@common-fund.org]
[Phone: +31 20 575 4949]