A Call for South-South Collaboration and Food Security Pathways Echoes at the 62nd IGC General Council
London, 12th June 2025 — In a historic development at the 62nd session of the International Grains Council (IGC) General Council,
a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was unanimously approved and formally adopted into the council session—
signifying a strategic partnership between the IGC and the India Middle East Agri Alliance (IMEAA).
The resolution followed a compelling address by Mr. Sudhakar Tomar, President of India Middle East Agri Alliance (IMEAA) and
Bharat Subcontinent Agri Foundation (BSAF). His keynote speech called for deeper cooperation, robust knowledge-sharing, and
inclusive agri-trade partnerships across the Global South. Emphasizing transparency, fair market access, and sustainable agriculture,
Mr. Tomar urged all stakeholders to work collectively to make food and nutrition security a global priority.
“ Let us democratize agriculture, grain trade, and robust investment—and make the Global South food and nutrition secure.” Tomar
appealed to the delegates.
The proposal was introduced under Agenda Item 9(i) – Fostering international collaboration in trade through partnership
agreements (GC62/13), and passed as a formal decision under Item 9(ii) – Draft MoU between the International Grains Council (IGC)
and the India Middle East Agri Alliance (IMEAA) & Bharat Subcontinent Agri Foundation (BSAF), tabled by Mr. Arnaud Petit, Executive
Director of the IGC.
“It is paramount that all stakeholders in the grains value chain share more information on grains markets to improve its
predictability, grains corridor between South Asia and the Middle East is now well established. Therefore promoting market
transparency will benefit small- and medium-sized enterprises and farmers’ producer organisations in these regions. Ware confident
that this MoU with IMEAA will achieve that,” said Petit.
International Grains Council Unanimously Adopts Landmark MoU with India Middle East Agri Alliance (IMEAA) & Bharat Subcontinent Agri Foundation (BSAF)
Scope of the Memorandum of Understanding
1. Mutual Participation & Joint Forums – IGC participation in IMEAA-led global agri forums engaging over 30,000 stakeholders.
2. Knowledge Exchange – Co-hosted briefings and capacity-building modules leveraging IGC’s data and analysis.
3. Capacity Building – Training programs in trade policy, logistics, sustainability, and risk management.
4. Trade Facilitation – Strengthening regional and international trade with a focus on South–South partnerships.
5. Policy Advocacy – Joint efforts to advance equitable, transparent, and stable agri-trade regulations.
6. Delegation Exchange – Bilateral institutional visits to build trust and continuity.
7. Reciprocal Member Benefits – Shared access to reports, events, and advisory resources across both networks.
This MoU represents a watershed moment for inclusive, data-driven, and action-oriented collaboration between multilateral
institutions and South-South agri ecosystems. It is expected to boost resilience, accelerate investment, and create new pathways to
foster the freest trade possible.
About the International Grains Council (IGC)
Headquartered in London, the IGC is an intergovernmental organization that promotes open and sustainable grain trade through market
transparency, data analysis, and multilateral policy dialogue. Its membership includes both leading grain-exporting and importing nations,
providing a neutral platform for global coordination and collaboration.
Attendance at the 62nd Session – IGC Member Countries
Argentina, Australia, Canada, European Union, India, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, United States, Algeria, Côte
d’Ivoire, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Morocco, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland,
Tunisia, Vatican City.
Observer Delegations: Brazil, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Chinese Taipei, Zambia.
About IMEAA / BSAF Ecosystem
The India Middle East Agri Alliance (IMEAA) and Bharat Subcontinent Agri Foundation (BSAF) are part of a non-profit, cross-border venture
building collective—along with the South Asia Agri Forum (SAAF)—focused on agricultural-led economic cooperation across the Global
South. Together, their network spans over 30,000 agri-entities , 5.5 million farmers, 1,600 agribusinesses, startups, cooperatives, and
government bodies. Their initiatives are active across India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania,
Malawi, and beyond—catalyzing over $1.5 billion in trade and investment and facilitating the signing of 20+ regional MoUs.
Media Contacts :
info@imeaa.org | secretariat@igc.int | info@bsaf.in
