Sri Lanka and the CFC explore avenues for stronger regional engagement in Asia
The Hague, 27 October 2025 – The Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Ms. Rekha Gunasekera, Alternate Governor of the CFC for Sri Lanka and Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The meeting offered an occasion to deliberate on issues of mutual concern and to identify opportunities for enhancing cooperation between Sri Lanka and the CFC.
Ambassador Belal presented an overview of the CFC’s initiatives and the growing global demand for its services, highlighting the Fund’s tangible impact on livelihoods and resilience in commodity-dependent developing countries. Stressing the need for collective action, he emphasized that eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable value chains require global solidarity and shared responsibility.
He expressed appreciation to Ambassador Gunasekera for Sri Lanka’s active engagement and long-standing support, noting the country’s potential to strengthen agricultural value chains and enhance farmers’ contribution to national economic transformation.
A key focus of the discussion was the Strategic Framework 2025–2035 (SFW), the CFC’s long-term roadmap to guide its operations and partnerships in the coming decade. Ambassador Gunesekera enquired about the progress of the drafting process and related aspects aimed at ensuring that the plan effectively responds to the growing demands and expectations of smallholders and SMEs across commodity-dependent developing countries.
Ambassador Gunasekera welcomed the visit and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to the CFC’s mandate, underscoring the country’s ambition to attract innovation, investment, and technology to boost productivity and sustainability in its commodity sectors.
Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to supporting smallholders and farmers, and Ambassador Belal encouraged Sri Lanka to continue its leadership in promoting fair and human-centered trade systems.
For media inquiries, please contact:
[CFC Media Relations Team]
[Email: managing.director@common-fund.org]
[Phone: +31 20 575 4949]