An UNCTAD expert meeting entitled "Enabling small commodity producers in developing countries to reach global markets" was held from 11 to 13 December 2006 to discuss how to help such producers obtain market information and financing, work out logistics for selling and transporting goods, and understand and comply with more complex regulations.
The meeting brought together experts from around the world to address an issue that goes to the heart of the debate on sustainable development, poverty reduction and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.
During substantive sessions that extended for three days, experts:
- debated the causalities and linkages between the activity of commodity production and the condition of poverty
- identified the services and support that small commodity producers need to effectively market their produce
- evaluated the development impact on small commodity producers of new integrated supply chain models facilitated by private sector and civil society
- examined the role of governments in support of producers in this new environment, including through public-private partnerships
In bringing together expertise from the public sector, private sector, civil society and academia, a platform was provided for the development of common understandings about the predicament of small commodity producers and a foundation was put in place for the consolidation of multistakeholder partnerships that can deliver comprehensive solutions enabling small producers to construct sustainable livelihoods.
For more information, see http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Page.asp?intItemID=4055&lang=1 [1]