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World Without Hunger Conference
- Day 1
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Day 2
- High level opening ceremony
- Global leaders debate: A collaborative dialogue on innovative strategies and scalable investment solutions
- Post-harvest management for enhanced food system and nutrition security in Ethiopia
- Innovative solutions for agri-business development: the example of the coffee value chain
- Global leaders debate: Scaling food security impact: Opportunities of cooperation with associations, philanthropists, and development finance institutions
- Investment matchmaking forum
- Presentation of the Transformation Pathways Fund (TPF)
- High-impact solutions to tackle food security (co-organized with Deloitte)
- Bridging technology and investment: The ITP network's approach
- Day 3
The issue
Strategically targeted investment in agribusiness technology in developing countries can be transformative. Technologies that improve farming practices, enhance market access, and build resilient agricultural sectors are key to ending hunger in these regions. The long-term benefits of such investments into technology—such as increased productivity, income generation, and food security—present significant opportunities for investors and stakeholders aligned with the global effort to end hunger by 2030 (SDG 2).
However, despite this potential, investment in climate-smart agriculture in developing countries has been slow, partly due to geopolitical uncertainties and global economic tightening. The resulting shortfall in international initiatives has hindered progress in modernizing food systems and achieving food security in these regions.
In this context, UNIDO's Investment and Technology Promotion (ITP) Network plays a crucial role by bridging the gap between technology and investment in developing countries. The ITP Network actively promotes sustainable agribusiness projects and facilitate the transfer of environmentally friendly technologies. These efforts have brought together private sector investors, technology providers, and government institutions to promote sustainable agricultural practices that enhance food security and climate resilience.
Expanding and scaling up these initiatives requires greater collaboration, innovative public-private partnerships, and financial mechanisms that reduce risk, making investments in these sectors more attractive to the private sector and driving progress toward hunger eradication.
Objective of the session
This session aims to showcase the pivotal role of UNIDO's ITP Network in advancing a world without hunger by fostering technological innovation through global investment. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the ITP Network, including its history, core activities, and best practices in bridging technology and investment for a World Without Hunger.
The session will feature presentations by Heads of various UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs), highlighting specific strategies and successful initiatives that have led to collaboration across continents—particularly in industries that align with the objectives of the World Without Hunger Conference. The goal is to inspire further collaboration, illustrate effective investment promotion techniques, and explore opportunities for scaling up the ITP Network’s contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in agribusiness.
Key guiding questions of the session
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What are the ITP Network's best practices for promoting sustainable agribusiness investments in developing countries?
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How can businesses in developing countries benefit from technology and investment promotion services offered by the ITP Network?
Expected outcome of the session
The session will:
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Showcase the ITP Network’s success stories: Highlighting real-world examples of effective investment promotion and technology transfer in sustainable agribusiness.
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Promote collaboration: Encouraging partnerships between governments, investors, and local stakeholders to drive scalable solutions in agribusiness innovation, food security, and sustainability.
Participants will leave with a set of actionable recommendations for engaging global investors, governments, and local stakeholders to drive investment into projects that bolster food security and sustainable development goals (SDGs). These solutions will focus on accelerating sustainable agricultural technologies, improving infrastructure, and fostering collaboration that will help ensure food security in vulnerable regions.
Session format and structure
Presentations by ITPO Heads and Q&A to engage the audience.
Speakers
Ms. Fatou Haidara, Deputy to the DG and Managing Director, Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations
Fatou Haidara is a Deputy to the Director General and the Managing Director of the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations. The Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations is responsible for UNIDO's engagement with Member States and all external partners, including through the Policymaking Organs. Ms Haidara is also the Director General’s Special Representative for Africa.
Prior to these assignments, she headed the Directorate of Corporate Management and Operations, strategically positioning the Organization for increased impact and stakeholder accountability. Earlier in her career at UNIDO she built up strategic partnerships and coordinated UNIDO’s programmes in Africa and in LDCs while fostering South-South cooperation, human security, youth employment and the economic empowerment of women.
Prior to joining UNIDO, she served the Government of Mali for eight years, including as Minister of Employment and Vocational Training and Minister of Industry, Trade and Private Sector Development.
Mr. Hashim Hussein, Head, ITPO Bahrain
Dr. Hashim S. Hussein heads the UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain and founded the International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ICEI). He developed the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum and holds key roles in various international alliances. With 30 years of experience in industrial development and MSME innovation, he developed the EDIP, now in 54 countries, and has trained 7000 experts globally in investment and entrepreneurship.
Mr. Yabin Wu, Head, ITPO Beijing
Executive Director of China Association of International Trade, Member of China Info100, Chief Economist of China Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, and Visiting Professor at the University of Sofia. Mr. Wu worked in MOFCOM. He has been engaged in macroeconomic research, formulation of trade and industrial policies and international trade negotiation for a long time. Mr. Wu served as deputy mayor of Yiwu, Zhejiang Province. He was also an independent director of many listed companies.
Postdoctoral Fellow in Applied Economics at Peking University, PhD in Management Science and Engineering at Chinese Academy of Sciences, Visiting Scholar of Asia- Pacific Institute at Duke University in the United States, Master in Public Policy at University College London in United Kingdom, and Master in Laws at Renmin University of China. The editor of Study on China-Africa Development Cooperation in the New Era, author of Import and China’s Practice, etc., and translator of Hardness 10 and Twilight of the Titans: Great Power Decline and Retrenchment, etc.
Ms. Xiaolei Zhao, Head, SIPC/ITPO Shanghai
Ms. Zhao Xiaolei currently serves as Head of UNIDO ITPO Shanghai. She once served as Deputy General Manager of Shanghai Harbor City Development (Group) Co., Ltd., General Manager of the Investment Promotion Center of Shanghai Zhangjiang (Group) Co., Ltd. and General Manager of Shanghai Zhangjiang Investment and Entrepreneurship Services Co., Ltd. Upon joining the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), she received the 2020 UNIDO “Director-General’s Exemplary Excellence Award” in recognition of her global achievements in promoting industrial technology innovation and global cooperation with local governments and the private sector.
Mr. Rolf Steltemeier, Head, ITPO Germany
Convinced that private sector cooperation is key to establishing long-term sustainable economic development globally, and particularly in Africa, Rolf Steltemeier assumed the position of Head of UNIDO ITPO Germany in January 2019. With expertise in economic development, public relations, and business cooperation, he identifies strategic opportunities to promote German investments and technologies in developing countries and emerging markets.
Originally trained as a bank clerk, Rolf holds a PhD in Political Science and later became a professor at several German universities. He has served as Deputy Director General and Commissioner for European Affairs at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Deputy Director General for Communication and Coordination and Spokesperson for the Minister, and as Head of Office for a former Foreign Minister of Germany.
Mr. Olaf Deutschbein, Head, ITPO Germany Berlin Office
Olaf Deutschbein has worked for the German Ministry of the Interior and the Development Ministry and has been active in the field of development cooperation for many years. He significantly advanced initiatives such as the introduction of the first state sustainable textile label 'Grüner Knopf', the 15 'Green Agricultural Innovation Centers ' (14 of which on the African continent and one in India), and the 'Cash for Work Initiative' providing 60,000 jobs per year for Syrian refugees in the Middle East.
Mr. Dino Fortunato, Chief Technical Advisor, UNIDO ITPO Italy
Dino Fortunato holds a degree in International Affairs from the University of Salvador (Buenos Aires, Argentina) and specialized in International Marketing and Cross-Cultural Management at the Wirtschaft Universität (Vienna, Austria). During his studies, he founded the “Integration to the XXI Century” Foundation and EGES (Equipo de Gestión Económica y Social), where, as Executive Director, he led exchange programs, technical assistance, and training initiatives for over 200 Argentine professionals in the United States.
He has extensive experience in the private sector, particularly in the oil and ceramic/building industries, with a focus on local and regional markets. In 2003, Dino joined UNIDO as the Argentine Delegate, following advisory roles with the International Relations and Trade Committees at the House of Representatives and the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Currently, as Chief Technical Advisor at UNIDO ITPO Italy, he promotes industrial joint ventures and technology transfer projects between Italian companies and enterprises in developing countries. He supports project negotiations, public relations, and investment promotion in countries such as Pakistan, Mozambique, Cuba, Somalia, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Palestine, and Jordan.
Dino is also involved in promoting women's empowerment in the MENA region, supporting women's business associations and entrepreneurs in business development, networking, and investment facilitation. Additionally, he assists young innovators, SMEs, and start-ups from Italy and the UAE, focusing on sustainable business models and enhancing their global market access, with particular attention to youth and women's engagement in green and digital transformation.
Ms. Fumio Adachi, Head, ITPO Japan
Joined Ministry of International Trade and Industry (METI), Government of Japan in 1991 and served for the GoJ mainly in international fields for 23 years. Seconded to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Government of the UK, and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). After serving as Director of Security Export Control Office of the University of Tokyo, became head of UNIDO, Investment and Technology Promotion Office Tokyo.
Mr. Maengo Shin, Head, ITPO Republic of Korea, Seoul
Mr. Shin is the Head of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Korea, a position he has held since December 2022. With over 35 years of diplomatic experience, he has served as Ambassador to Canada (2017-2020) and Bulgaria (2013-2016), and has held key roles in international security, legal affairs, and North Korean nuclear issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His diplomatic postings have taken him to the U.S.A., Russia, Austria, Ethiopia, and Belgium since joining the Ministry in 1985.
Ms. Abimbola Olufore, Head, ITPO Nigeria
Ms. Abimbola Olufore Wycliffe’s career spans the private sector, public sector, and international civil service to date. In her current role as Head of Investment and Technology Promotion in Nigeria, covering a few African countries, she has the responsibilities of coordinating, integrating, and managing the day-to-day operations emanating from a 6-year work plan focused on boosting investment, innovation, and technology flow in and out of Africa. She oversees the development and implementation of impact programmes with key stakeholders like governments, other development institutions and the private sector networks.
Mr. Igor Kozhin, Head, CIIC/ITPO Russia
Mr. Igor Kozhin graduated from the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation in 2007 with a degree on Public Municipal and Corporate Governance. He completed MBA from Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.
He worked in various positions in leading Russian companies with a focus on business development and investment promotion. From 2007 and until 2011 Mr. Kozhin held the post of Deputy General Director and Chairman of the Board of generation and utility company JSC «ROSKOMMUNENERGO». From 2011 and until 2022 he was a Deputy General Director of the JSC «GALA-FORM» that provides oil industry support services in Russia.
Ms. Luomei Shu, Director, ITPOs and Institutional Partnerships Division
Ms. Luomei Shu serves as the Director in the Division of Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs) and Institutional Partnerships, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) since June 2024.
Prior to joining the UNIDO, she served as Deputy Permanent Representative of China to UNIDO, Minister Counsellor of the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Vienna, Economic and Commercial Counsellor in the Chinese Consulate-General in Milan, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
She joined the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China in 1988 and had served as Director and Commercial Counsellor in the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs and Department of Western Asia and African Affairs.