Ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America discuss agricultural innovation, sustainable food systems and new opportunities for international trade and investment.
New Delhi | 19 October 2026
The Indian Economic Trade Organization (IETO) hosted an international diplomatic gathering to mark World Food Day 2026 at FIEO, Niryat Bhavan, New Delhi, bringing together ambassadors, embassy representatives, industry stakeholders and international partners to discuss global food security and the growing importance of agricultural cooperation.
The event was attended by the Ambassadors of Nicaragua, Timor-Leste and Myanmar, alongside representatives from the Embassies of Lesotho, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Chad, the Dominican Republic and the Royal Danish Embassy, represented by its Counsellor for Food and Agriculture. Sri Lanka and Cuba were also among the countries associated with the programme, while India hosted the gathering.
Organized under the theme “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow,” the discussions examined how countries can strengthen agricultural production, improve access to food, adopt modern farming technologies and develop partnerships that support long-term food security.
Food Security Requires Different Solutions for Different Countries
One of the important observations emerging from the discussions was that countries are at different stages of agricultural development, making international cooperation particularly valuable. While some nations have developed advanced food-processing industries, agricultural technologies and efficient supply chains, others continue to face challenges involving irrigation, agricultural infrastructure, storage, financing and market access. For countries seeking to strengthen domestic food production, partnerships with technologically advanced nations can provide access to knowledge, equipment and investment. At the same time, emerging agricultural markets offer considerable opportunities for international businesses and investors.
Reflecting on the importance of such cooperation, the Ambassador of Timor-Leste highlighted the need to strengthen agricultural capabilities through international engagement. “Food security is closely connected to the economic development of our countries. For developing nations, access to agricultural technology, investment and knowledge is essential. Platforms such as this create opportunities for countries to learn from one another and explore partnerships that can benefit our farmers and communities.”
The Ambassador of Nicaragua similarly drew attention to the importance of agricultural development and cooperation between producing and importing countries.
“Agriculture remains an important contributor to national development and rural livelihoods. International cooperation allows us to exchange experience, strengthen agricultural production and explore new markets. The challenge is to ensure that these opportunities translate into practical benefits for our people.”
Denmark’s Agricultural Experience Adds a European Perspective
The participation of the Royal Danish Embassy brought an important European perspective to the discussions, particularly concerning agricultural innovation, sustainable food production, food safety and resource efficiency. Denmark has developed considerable expertise in food-processing technologies, modern agricultural systems and efficient use of agricultural resources. Its experience offers relevant lessons for countries seeking to modernize their food production and processing capabilities.
The discussions highlighted the potential for cooperation between technology providers, agricultural businesses and countries seeking to improve productivity while managing environmental pressures. “Food security is about producing more. It is also about producing efficiently, reducing waste and ensuring that food systems remain sustainable. Cooperation between countries, research institutions and businesses is important in bringing practical agricultural solutions to the markets where they are needed.”
Dominican Republic Shares Presidential Message on Food Security
A significant contribution came from the Embassy of the Dominican Republic, which shared a message from President Luis Abinader addressing the importance of food security and the country’s progress in combating hunger. The Dominican Republic’s experience offered an example of how sustained national efforts can improve food availability and nutritional outcomes. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the country reduced its prevalence of undernourishment from 21.3% in 2006 to below 2.5% in 2025, placing it among countries that have made substantial progress in addressing hunger.
The presidential message added an important dimension to the gathering by demonstrating that improvements in food security are achievable through sustained attention to agricultural development, economic opportunities and public policy. The discussions also recognise that countries making progress in agricultural development have valuable experiences to share with nations facing similar challenges.
IETO Focuses on Connecting Diplomatic Priorities with Indian Industry
Dr. Asif Iqbal, President of the Indian Economic Trade Organization, emphasized that economic diplomacy must create opportunities for meaningful cooperation between governments, businesses and institutions. Through its international trade councils, business delegations and diplomatic engagements, IETO has been facilitating economic relationships across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Gulf and Latin America.
Its engagements through platforms including the India Africa Trade Council, India EU Trade Council and Asian Arab Chamber of Commerce have helped create channels for business interaction, trade promotion and investment discussions. “Food security cannot be addressed by governments working in isolation. The private sector has an equally important role, whether through agricultural technology, food processing, fertilizers, logistics or international trade. At IETO, our responsibility is to connect the requirements of countries with the capabilities of businesses and institutions that can provide practical solutions.”
He further emphasized the importance of continuing engagement beyond international conferences. “We would like to see these discussions develop into country-specific business opportunities. India has strong manufacturing capabilities, agricultural expertise and a large network of exporters and importers. By engaging directly with diplomatic missions, we can identify requirements, connect suitable businesses and work towards partnerships that create measurable economic value.”
Next Steps: Direct Engagement with Embassies, Manufacturers and Exporters
An important outcome of the gathering was IETO’s intention to organize more detailed discussions by participating in diplomatic missions to identify specific agricultural and food-security requirements. These engagements will seek to understand the priorities of individual countries, including requirements for agricultural machinery, irrigation systems, fertilizers, food-processing equipment, storage facilities, food products and related technologies. IETO plans to bring Indian manufacturers, importers, exporters and agricultural technology companies into direct discussions with the respective embassies.
The proposed approach will allow diplomatic missions to communicate country-specific needs while giving Indian enterprises an opportunity to explore potential trade, technology-transfer, sourcing and investment partnerships. For Indian businesses, such engagements could provide access to new international markets. For participating countries, they could help identify suppliers, technical partners and investment opportunities aligned with national agricultural priorities.
Moving from Discussion to Cooperation
The India BRICS Trade Council and India EU Trade Council participated as strategic partners, supporting the broader objective of encouraging international economic cooperation. The World Food Day gathering demonstrated the value of bringing countries with different agricultural strengths and challenges onto a common platform. While some participants shared experience from established agricultural systems, others explored how partnerships could help address gaps in technology, infrastructure and production capabilities.
For IETO, the next stage will involve maintaining dialogue with the participating embassies and identifying areas where Indian industry can contribute to agricultural development and food security. The gathering concluded with a recognition that food security is not simply a matter of national production, but also of international cooperation, dependable supply chains, technology and access to markets.
With diplomatic missions, businesses and institutions working together, the discussions in New Delhi have the potential to develop into practical partnerships supporting agricultural growth, international trade and more resilient food systems.
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