Towards future collaboration – WorldVeg and COLEAD sign new MoU

Marco Wopereis, WorldVeg Director General, and Jeremy Knops, COLEAD General Delegate, sign a new Memorandum of Understanding

The mission of both COLEAD and WorldVeg are highly complementary, and after acknowledging the common ground and aims, a Memorandum of Understanding was drawn up, and signed on 7 June 2024 at COLEAD headquarters in Brussels. Both organizations acknowledge that developing sustainable global food systems is crucial to meet the challenges of poverty, inequality, food insecurity and fragility in the face of climatic and economic shocks. And now they will work more closely together to address these issues.

COLEAD is a network of companies, professional organizations, experts, private and public partners working in the agrifood sector and development fields, that transmit knowledge and expertise. It aims to contribute to the agricultural sector transition towards more sustainable agrifood systems, adapted to local contexts. It has a focus on research and innovation, monitoring regulations and standards, market insights, access to finance, food safety issues related to exports to Europe, with an increased emphasis on domestic and regional trade. COLEAD provides technical assistance and vocational training in the horticultural sector, mainly in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific, but there is interest to expand to Asia.

WorldVeg and COLEAD will now work on a joint value proposition that aims to promote safe vegetable production for domestic, regional and international markets, stimulate South-South collaboration, engage with regional economic communities and potential funders, and organize joint events.

Reflections, on a common focus and future partnership