As Ambassador Concludes His Mission, CFC and El Salvador Look Ahead to Stronger Partnership for Fairer Global Value Chains

Amsterdam, 28 July 2026 – Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), received H.E. Mr. Agustín Vásquez Gómez, Ambassador of the Republic of El Salvador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, for a farewell visit at the CFC headquarters in Amsterdam. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr. Miguel Armando Paniagua Meléndez, Minister Counsellor. The meeting was also attended by Ms. Zahra Kahla, Research and Data Analyst at the CFC.

The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the constructive partnership established during Ambassador Vásquez Gómez's tenure and to exchange views on sustainable agriculture, rural development, commodity value addition, and inclusive economic transformation.

At the outset, Ambassador Belal congratulated El Salvador on its remarkable national transformation.

"In recent years, El Salvador has demonstrated to the world that determined leadership, clear vision, and unwavering commitment can transform what was once regarded as one of the most dangerous countries into one of the safest and most hopeful destinations in the region. Such a transformation inspires confidence—not only within the country but across the international community. Nations that successfully transform themselves are often best placed to inspire transformation beyond their borders," Ambassador Belal said.

Ambassador Belal expressed his sincere appreciation for Ambassador Vásquez Gómez's friendship, openness, and constructive engagement with the Common Fund for Commodities.

"Your Excellency, your openness, friendship, and commitment to international cooperation have been deeply appreciated. We are grateful for the meaningful exchanges we have shared and for your interest in the work of the Common Fund for Commodities. We sincerely hope that today's farewell marks not the end of our collaboration, but the beginning of an even stronger partnership in the years ahead."

During the meeting, Ambassador Belal presented the CFC's vision of Humanizing Value Chains, an initiative that seeks to ensure that global commodity markets work not only for trade and economic efficiency, but also for the millions of people whose livelihoods depend on them.

He observed that while globalization has significantly expanded trade and consumer choice, many of the world's smallholder farmers continue to receive only a small fraction of the value generated from the commodities they produce.

The Managing Director emphasized that strengthening cooperatives, expanding access to finance, promoting local value addition, encouraging regenerative agriculture, and improving market access can enable farming communities and agricultural SMEs to capture greater value while building more resilient rural economies.

Drawing on CFC-supported investments, Ambassador Belal highlighted successful coffee initiatives with Just Know Your Coffee Cup (JKCC) in Uganda and the Capucas Coffee Cooperative in Honduras. Through cooperative business models, farmers have gained access to technical training, quality improvements, certification, regenerative agricultural practices, and stronger bargaining power, enabling them to negotiate premium prices in international markets while improving household incomes and creating sustainable livelihoods.

"Humanizing value chains means recognizing that behind every cup of coffee, every bar of chocolate, and every bag of cocoa are families whose hard work deserves dignity, opportunity, and a fair return. Fair prices are not acts of charity—they are investments in stronger communities, better education, more resilient local economies, and ultimately more stable and sustainable markets for everyone."

Ambassador Belal also presented the evolution of the organization under its CFC 2.0 Strategy, highlighting how the institution has expanded beyond traditional commodity financing to become a catalyst for agricultural SMEs, blended finance, technical assistance, impact investing, and value addition across commodity sectors.

He noted that CFC is increasingly focusing on addressing the financing needs of the "missing middle"—small and medium-sized enterprises that often struggle to access growth capital despite creating the majority of rural employment and driving local economic transformation.

Recognizing El Salvador's remarkable national progress, Ambassador Belal expressed his hope that the country could also contribute to shaping international discussions on fairer and more inclusive commodity markets.

"Countries that have successfully transformed themselves often become powerful advocates for transformation elsewhere. We believe El Salvador has an important voice to contribute to the global conversation on ensuring that globalization, trade, and technological progress deliver greater prosperity for smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and SMEs across the developing world."

H.E. Mr. Vásquez Gómez expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to visit the Common Fund for Commodities and commended the organization's practical approach to supporting rural communities.

"The Common Fund for Commodities demonstrates that development is most effective when it reaches the people who produce and sustain our economies. Its focus on strengthening farmers, cooperatives, and rural livelihoods is both timely and necessary. You may always consider El Salvador a friend and an ally in advancing these important conversations, and I hope we will continue working together in the future."

Both sides also discussed the importance of strengthening the voice of commodity-producing countries within the multilateral system and promoting more equitable global value chains that create shared prosperity through greater local value addition, entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable economic transformation.

Concluding the meeting, Ambassador Belal thanked Ambassador Vásquez Gómez for his friendship and distinguished diplomatic service and reaffirmed the Common Fund for Commodities' readiness to deepen its engagement with El Salvador.

"The doors of the Common Fund for Commodities will always remain open to El Salvador. We look forward to building an even stronger partnership that supports sustainable agriculture, empowers SMEs, advances value addition, and helps ensure that global commodity markets work better for the people whose labour sustains them."

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing their shared interest in strengthening future cooperation and exploring opportunities to advance sustainable agriculture, resilient rural livelihoods, and more human-centred global commodity value chains.

For media inquiries, please contact:
CFC Media Relations Team
Email: managing.director@common-fund.org

All News