CFC Managing Director Meets Chairperson of UN Second Committee, H.E. Ambassador Lamin B. Dibba, Gambia
New York, 24 July 2025 – Amb. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), paid a courtesy call to His Excellency Ambassador Lamin B. Dibba, Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the United Nations and Chairperson of the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly.
The Second Committee, formally responsible for economic and financial matters, plays a pivotal role in shaping the global development agenda, particularly on issues related to sustainable development, climate change, poverty eradication, trade, and financing for development. Ambassador Dibba, in his dual role as Chair of the Second Committee and representative of The Gambia, a committed voice within the Group of 77 (G77), emphasized the urgent need for renewed multilateral support to address structural inequalities that persist across the Global South.
Ambassador Belal expressed his appreciation for the Committee's leadership in advancing inclusive and equitable economic frameworks at the global level, noting the deep alignment between the Committee’s thematic priorities and the CFC’s core mission. As a financial institution dedicated to improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and commodity producers in developing countries, the CFC works at the intersection of sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and inclusive rural finance.
“Ambassador Dibba’s stewardship of the Second Committee offers a critical opportunity to reaffirm the importance of practical, action-oriented support to developing economies—particularly those heavily dependent on commodities,” said Ambassador Belal. “We see the CFC’s work as complementary to the Committee’s goals, as we strive to ensure that global policy discussions are translated into tangible, on-the-ground solutions for the world’s most vulnerable producers.”
The meeting also touched on the role of the G77, which remains a vital platform for the collective voice and negotiating power of the developing world. Ambassador Belal and Ambassador Dibba agreed on the importance of ensuring that institutions like the CFC remain closely engaged with G77 priorities, particularly in the areas of access to finance, value chain development, and technology transfer.
Both Ambassadors acknowledged with deep appreciation the Sevilla outcome document, which underscores the critical importance of value addition at origin as a pathway to sustainable development and economic empowerment for commodity-dependent nations. "The Sevilla document rightly prioritizes value addition at origin, ensuring that developing countries retain greater economic benefits from their commodities," remarked Ambassador Dibba. Ambassador Belal echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that "enhancing local processing and value addition aligns perfectly with the CFC’s mission to transform raw commodity potential into tangible prosperity for smallholder farmers and producers." The discussion reinforced their shared commitment to advancing this principle in global policy and practice.
Ambassador Dibba acknowledged the CFC’s longstanding efforts in supporting sustainable commodity development and welcomed its continued contribution to economic transformation in G77 member states. Both parties underscored the need to deepen cooperation between international financial institutions and UN bodies to close the gap between commitments made in global forums and the realities faced by developing countries on the ground.
The meeting concluded with a shared vision for stronger synergies between policy and implementation, and a renewed commitment to working collaboratively in support of an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development agenda.
About the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC)
CFC is an intergovernmental financial institution that supports commodity-dependent developing countries through projects and programs aimed at improving livelihoods and fostering sustainable value chains.
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