Asmara, 25 October 2025 – Eritrea participated in the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s Hand in Hand Initiative Investment Forum 2025, held from 14 to 17 October in Rome, Italy, showcasing its substantial potential in the key sectors of banana, potato, and anchovy, and demonstrating its commitment to sustainable agrifood system development.
The event, convened under the FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative, brought together global partners, policymakers, and investors to explore and foster investments that advance sustainable practices and economic growth.
Eritrea’s delegation included experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Marine Resources, and the FAO Office in Eritrea, led by Mr. Semere Amlesom, Director General of the Agricultural Extension Department of the Ministry of Agriculture. The delegation participated virtually, highlighting Eritrea’s natural resources, strategic location, and growing capacities in horticultural crop production and marine resources.
Representing Eritrea onsite at the FAO headquarters were Mr. Asmerom Kidane, Alternate Permanent Representative of the State of Eritrea to FAO, IFAD, and WFP in Rome, alongside Ms. Ariella Glinni, FAO Representative in Eritrea.
Eritrea’s presentations focused on expanding value chains, boosting productivity, and promoting sustainable practices aimed at improving food security and fostering economic diversification through targeted investments in priority commodities. It presented key opportunities in banana, potato, and anchovy production, outlining the country’s comparative advantages and ongoing efforts to modernize agriculture and fisheries through innovation and sustainability.
Eritrea’s participation in the Hand in Hand Initiative Investment Forum underscored the country’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and attracting investment partners that support inclusive growth and resilience in the face of global challenges.
The FAO Hand in Hand Investment Forum, attended by representatives from 29 countries, provided a vital platform for member states to share transformative investment opportunities in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and FAO’s mission to end hunger and promote sustainable agrifood systems.