Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit becomes new member of SAVE FOOD

Initiative now has more than 350 sponsors from business, NGOs and research


With the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) the SAVE FOOD initiative has gained a high-profile partner with political backing. The number of members who have committed to fighting food waste and loss has now risen to 120. They come mainly from the industrial sector, including both individual companies and industry associations. This number is swelled by some 230 NGOs and research establishments which are registered through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The GIZ is the first organisation with close ties to the German government to become a member.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. The reduction of food losses is an important field of action for many projects in developing countries that promote agricultural value chains. In this context, public-private partnerships play an important role. In February 2015, the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has therefore commissioned GIZ to become a partner of the Save Food Initiative.

The engagement shown by industry in fighting food loss and waste will also be a focus at the SAVE FOOD Meeting 2015 that will be hosted by Nestlé in Vevey, Switzerland, on 12 May. Decision-makers from industry, science and research, policy-makers and individuals from civil society will be gathering at this event to engage in constructive dialogue under the motto “Private Sector support for food loss and waste reduction projects”. Facilitating the networking of these different companies and institutions with the aim of providing a platform for generating concrete actions is one of the core objectives of the SAVE FOOD initiative.


The food value chain in developing countries in the Sub-Saharan region and the reduction of food losses there will then be a focus in the autumn at the third Food Processing & Packaging Exposyum (FPPE) in Nairobi, Kenya, from 3 to 5 November 2015. This trade fair with symposium sheds light on the entire process – from the first processing stages to filling and packaging to logistics – against the backdrop of the different local business structures, developments and needs. The FAO, as a partner of the SAVE FOOD initiative, will be organising the agenda for one of the three days of the conference. GIZ will be delivering one of the presentations on this theme at the FPPE.

About SAVE FOOD:
The SAVE FOOD initiative is a cooperation between the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Messe Düsseldorf GmbH to combat global food losses and food waste. SAVE FOOD aims to network actors from business, politics and research, stimulate dialogue and help to work out solutions along the food value chain. SAVE FOOD also intends to launch and promote its own projects with the support of the industry. SAVE FOOD started in May 2011 with an international congress and an exhibition as part of interpack, the world’s leading trade fair for the packaging industry and all related process industries. More information at www.save-food.org.

About GIZ:
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federal enterprise with worldwide operations. It supports the German Government in the fields of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education. GIZ helps individuals and societies to develop their own prospects and improve their living conditions.