Stronger together

Optimizing our partnerships in an era of ​rising global needs and shrinking resources

welcome to the

annual partnership ​consultation 2023

Held since 1995, WFP’s Annual Partnership Consultation (APC) has provided a unique opportunity for WFP and partners from around the globe to come together and engage in strategic discussions.


As highlighted by this year’s theme: “Stronger Together, optimizing our partnerships in an era of rising global needs and shrinking resources”, APC 2023 falls at a critical moment for the humanitarian sector. During the two-day event, WFP and partners will discuss strategies and solutions to collectively overcome the major challenges of today.


This website contains the information you need to navigate the five sessions, including how to join online. If you are attending APC in person, logistics information can be found in the admin note sent out by email. For more information please contact: wfp.ngounit@wfp.org.

A picture from APC 2022. Explore the highlights and key takeaways from last year's consultation.

Event ​Agenda

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day one

opening session

Strategic Roundtable on the Looming Food Crises

Monday, October 30 9.30 - 11.00 (CET)

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day two

session four

The Power of Partnerships in Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

Tuesday, October 31 10.00 - 11.30 (CET)

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day one

session three

Monday, October 30 15.00 - 16.30 (CET)

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day two

session five

Advocating as One to Mitigate and Prevent Food Crises

Tuesday, October 31 14.00 - 15.30 (CET)

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Session 1

Strategic Roundtable on the Looming Food Crises

Monday, October 30 | 9.30 - 11 (CET) | WFP Auditorium

The session will be preceded by opening remarks from WFP Assistant Executive Director Valerie Guarnieri.

The opening Strategic Roundtable is an important moment for WFP and NGO leaders to reflect on the realities of the current global food situation and what it means for our joint work. With needs rising exponentially, and resources dwindling faster than ever, we all need to double down and try to do more for less.

The panel and participants will be asked to strategize on what we can do to improve our collaboration by answering the question: How can we use the power of our partnerships to address the crises we are facing?


Online participants can observe the session and submit questions via the morning session zoom webinar, which can be accessed using this link at the time of the event.

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Session 2

Humanitarian Response in Complex Emergencies

Monday, October 30 | 11.30 - 13.00 (CET) | WFP Auditorium

Conflict is the single greatest driver of hunger, with over two-thirds of WFP assistance delivered in conflict-affected contexts. One in six children worldwide are living in conflict zones and are at risk of being killed, maimed, and other suffering other grave violations. WFP and its partners frequently share operational space with a host of competing actors including: assertive host states, de facto authorities, non-state armed groups and regional/international military forces - all of whom can attempt to manipulate humanitarian action to their advantage. Humanitarians do not operate in a vacuum. Even where there is no political intent to humanitarian programming; that does not mean there is no political impact. Despite the best intentions of humanitarians, food assistance can actually become a weapon of war or punishment (as recognised by UN Security Council Resolution 2417 - 2018), or a means for gaining power and control over people/territory, buttressing legitimacy, and forcing displacement. Achieving sustainable humanitarian access and space is also becoming increasingly difficult while maintaining neutrality, impartiality and operational independence remains a major challenge.


This session focuses on how WFP and its partners can uphold the humanitarian principles, promote the centrality of protection, implement conflict-sensitive programming, maintain humanitarian access and leverage humanitarian diplomacy. WFP and its partners will bring real-world examples and best practices with the aim of generating a common recognition of the need for enhanced conflict sensitivity and renewed adherence to the humanitarian principles and protection.

Online participants can observe the session and submit questions via the afternoon session zoom webinar which can be accessed using this link at the time of the event.

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Session 3

Accelerating climate action in fragile and vulnerable contexts

Monday, October 30 | 15.00 - 16.30 (CET) | WFP Auditorium

Taking place in the crucial final month before CoP28, this session represents an opportunity for WFP and its international and local NGO partners to align positioning on climate action. The key topics will include local solutions to avert, minimize and address loss & damage from climate change, as well as localizing climate action in fragile and shock-prone contexts. Panel presentations and interactive discussions will facilitate knowledge exchange on solutions to these issues. This session will also aim to connect and reinforce advocacy efforts to highlight the humanitarian impact of the climate crisis, spotlight local solutions, and ensure the voices of the most vulnerable are heard.


Online participants can observe the session and submit questions via the morning session zoom webinar which can be accessed using this link at the time of the event.

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Session 4

The power of partnerships in preventing sexual exploitation and abuse

tuesday, October 31 | 10.00 - 11.30 (CET) | WFP Auditorium

While changing culture is never easy, in the case of Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) it is an urgent necessity. In this session, different stakeholders will present and discuss the partnership best practices that most serve communities including those related to PSEA. Participants will share field experiences which highlight the significant impact of engaging women on SEA prevention and reporting. This session aims to discuss how to broaden the scope of partnerships, driving them to better achieve common outcomes such as a commitment to the prevention, mitigation, and response to sexual exploitation and abuse.


Online participants can observe the session and submit questions via the morning session zoom webinar which can be accessed using this link at the time of the event.

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Session 5

Advocating as one to mitigate and prevent food crises

tuesday, October 31 | 14.00 - 15.35 (CET) | WFP Auditorium

This session will look at ways in which advocacy at the global, regional and ​country levels can best work, with a focus on engaging and empowering local ​actors to drive change. The scale of the current global food crisis is feeding ​into an unprecedented number of emergencies driven by the impact of ​climate shocks and disasters, shrinking humanitarian space, conflict, and ​economic downturns. The gravity of this situation, compounded by the ​scarcity of resources, demands that we unite in collective advocacy.


At the end of the session, WFP Assistant Executive Director, Valerie Guarnieri ​will close APC 2023 with her final remarks.


Online participants can observe the session and submit questions via the afternoon session zoom webinar which can be accessed using this link at the ​time of the event.

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APC Panelists

Session 1 - the panel

Strategic Roundtable on the Looming Food Crises

Tomson Phiri

Session moderator

Spokesperson for Southern Africa, WFP

Tomson Phiri is a seasoned media and communications expert with more than 16 years of experience in media, communication, and international affairs. He currently holds the position of overseeing WFP's Regional Communications portfolio in Southern Africa, with his base in Johannesburg. In this role, he assumes responsibility for drawing attention, fostering empathy, and garnering support for individuals in dire need of emergency and development assistance. His rich experience extends across diverse contexts in both Africa and Europe.

Cindy McCain

Executive Director, World Food Programme

World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director, Cindy Hensley McCain, took office on 5 April 2023, and brings to the role extensive expertise and a deep commitment to ending hunger and malnutrition. Prior to joining WFP, she served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United States Mission to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome. A distinguished humanitarian, business leader and diplomat with a career spanning four decades, Executive Director McCain has championed a wide range of causes focused on alleviating poverty and promoting sustainable development and peace.

Arif Husain

WFP Chief Economist

Arif Husain is Chief Economist and Director of the Food Security Analysis and Trends Service at United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) based in Rome, Italy. Arif joined WFP in 2003 and since then he has served in many senior positions both in the field and at the headquarters. He has also worked for the World Bank and taught at the Hubert H Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. Arif’s work focuses on analysing food security and welfare conditions in developing countries to inform humanitarian and development response.

Cissy Kagaba

Director, South Sudan NGO ​Forum

A professional Lawyer with over 10 years’ experience working with both government and civil society on Governance and Human rights. Renowned for leading a coalition of anti-corruption organizations in Uganda that contributed to enactment of anti-corruption laws and improved service delivery especially in marginalized areas of the country. Since January 2023, as Secretariat Director leading a network of 344 national and international NGO working on Humanitarian Assistance, Food Security, Climate Change, Women and Youth and several other sectors.


Mirela Shuteriqi

Interim CEO, ICVA

Mirela Shuteriqi is Director of Policy at the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), where she leads a policy team focusing on forced migration, humanitarian financing, and coordination. Ms Shuteriqi has over 15 years of professional experience in human rights, migration and refugee law, working both for NGOs and UN Agencies. In 2015-2017 she worked with UNICEF as advocacy coordinator on the rights of refugee and migrant children in Europe. Prior to UNICEF, Ms Shuteriqi served for over 8 years as global protection adviser for the Swiss NGO, Terre des hommes.

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Session 2 - the panel

Humanitarian Response in Complex Emergencies

Fiona Terry

Session Moderator and subject matter expert

Head, CORE at ICRC

Fiona Terry heads the ICRC’s Centre for Operational Research and Experience (the CORE), which was created in the wake of the landmark Roots of Restraint in War study of which Dr Terry was co-author. She has three decades of experience in humanitarian operations around the world including Iraq, Somalia, Rwanda, Liberia, Sudan, Myanmar, Nepal and Afghanistan, principally with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). She holds a Ph.D. in international relations and political science from the Australian National University and is the author of Condemned to Repeat? The Paradox of Humanitarian Action (Cornell University Press, 2002), which won the 2006 Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order.

Valerie Guarnieri

WFP Assistant Executive Director

Valerie N. Guarnieri is Assistant Executive Director for Programme and Policy Development. In this role, she leads WFP’s work around the world to provide food, cash and technical assistance that helps people and nations to meet urgent needs, build resilience and improve food security. Global partnerships to empower women, support refugees and displaced populations, combat malnutrition and ensure that all hungry children benefit from nutritious school meals also fall under her leadership.

Olivier Longué

CEO, Action Against Hunger Spain


Olivier Longué has worked at Action Contre la Faim Spain (ACF) (English: Action Against Hunger - AAH) since 1995 and oversees 20 Regional and Country Offices across the globe, a workforce of 2400 direct employees, and nurturing over 100 partnerships. He also leads digital transformation, advocates for humanitarian causes, and excels in fundraising and corporate alliances.

Nimo Hassan

Director, Somali NGO Consortium (SNC)

Nimo Hassan leads the Somali NGO Consortium (SNC), a coordination mechanism of NGOs for NGOs. At the global policy level, she co-chaired the IASC Result Group One Subgroup on Localization. She is now ICVA representative at the IASC Operational Policy and Advocacy Group (OPAG). Ms Hassan has over 15 years of experience in both the humanitarian and development programming and approaches.

She has a MA in Development Studies from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom.Ms. Hassan has lectured at Amoud University, Somaliland, and The Manchester College in Manchester UK.

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Session 3 - the panel

Accelerating climate action in fragile and vulnerable contexts

David Kaatrud

Session moderator

WFP, Director of ​Programme

David Kaatrud is WFP’s Global Director of Programme and Policy. Prior to this, Mr Kaatrud served in Bangkok as WFP’s Regional Director for Asia & the Pacific Bureau. In various senior positions in Emergencies, Assessment & Analysis and Logistics over the years, he had a lead role in building WFP’s internal response capacity, developing key strategic partnerships and strengthening inter-agency coordination.

Mr Kaatrud has been involved in leading humanitarian and development work for the past 30 years, having worked with CARE and OCHA in addition to WFP.


Lucia Pande

Secretary General, Tanzanian Red Cross

Ms. Lucia Pande is an esteemed leader and visionary, currently serving as the Secretary General of the Tanzania Red Cross Society (TRCS), since January 8th, 2023. With a remarkable track record of service and leadership, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role in advancing humanitarian causes and driving positive change. Ms. Pande is an expert in Human Resources and Senior Management Leadership. Her proficiency extends across different industries, including Mining, Logistics, Manufacturing, and Humanitarian Development.

Gernot Laganda

Director, Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction, WFP

Gernot Laganda is leading the Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction Programs at the United Nations' World Food Program (WFP). He supports WFP Country Offices and the governments they serve to understand the effects of climate change on food security, develop strategic measures to reduce climate risks in country programs, and make innovative climate finance instruments work for vulnerable communities. Gernot joined WFP from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), where he managed the world’s largest climate change adaptation program for smallholder farmers.

Azmat Khan

CEO, Foundation for Rural ​​Development (FRD), ​Pakistan

Mr. Azmat Khan, Chief Executive Officer of ​Foundation for Rural Development (FRD) in ​Pakistan, is a graduate of Development Studies and ​has an experience of 16 years in Humanitarian and ​Development Sector. The work of Mr. Khan ​encompasses both Humanitarian and development ​aspects with the local communities in Pakistan, and ​when the nexus approach is being seen as one ​possible solution, Mr. Khan has been among the ​pioneers to test the spirit of such nexus, by ​incorporating resilience building in the ​humanitarian projects.

Mathew Truscott

Head of Humanitarian Policy ​& Advocacy, Oxfam

Mathew Truscott has been Head of Humanitarian Policy at Oxfam since July 2019. He is a senior policy expert in the humanitarian, development and human rights sectors and skilled in government relations, international law, policy analysis and leadership and has a Master’s degree from Lieden University. Before joining Oxfam in 2019, he was an Advocacy Adviser for Norwegian Refugee Council.


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Session 4 - the panel

The power of partnerships in preventing sexual exploitation and abuse

Wendy Cue

Session Moderator

IASC Champion focal point

Ms. Wendy Cue joined the Inter-Agency Standing ​Committee secretariat in January 2018. Previously, ​she was Head of OCHA’s Regional Office for Latin ​America and the Caribbean. Ms. Cue has more than ​20 years of international and UN experience. Her ​previous assignments include as Head of the OCHA ​Office in Nepal, Chief of the Emergency ​Preparedness Section, Coordinator for the Nepal ​Risk Reduction Consortium, Chief of the Joint ​UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit, Field Manager for ​the Pandemic Influenza Contingency, and Team ​Leader for human rights investigations in Rwanda ​and Haiti.

Magdaline Ndi Nkweta

CEO, WARDA, Cameroon

Magdaline Ndi Nkweta is the CEO of Women Access ​to Relief and Development Actions (WARDA), who ​works in promoting gender equality, women ​empowerment alongside fighting for the ​prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse and ​gender-based violence in collaboration with the ​Ministry of Women Empowerment and the Family ​in Cameroon. She is currently the National Project ​Coordinator of WARDA and has wide experiences in ​community development, project development and ​implementation, capacity building, monitoring and ​evaluation of gender plans and programs.

Cindy McCain

Executive Director, World Food Programme

World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director, ​Cindy Hensley McCain, took office on 5 April 2023, ​and brings to the role extensive expertise and a ​deep commitment to ending hunger and ​malnutrition. Prior to joining WFP, she served as ​Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the ​United States Mission to the United Nations Food ​and Agriculture Agencies in Rome. A distinguished ​humanitarian, business leader and diplomat with a ​career spanning four decades, Executive Director ​McCain has championed a wide range of causes ​focused on alleviating poverty and promoting ​sustainable development and peace.

Alina Potts is a Research Scientist at GWI, and ​Principal Investigator of the Empowered Aid ​project. Her research builds on her experience ​responding to gender-based violence in a number ​of humanitarian emergencies, with a focus on ​feminist, participatory research in humanitarian ​settings. She previously coordinated violence ​prevention research with UNICEF, and has over ten ​years’ experience as an aid worker, mostly with the ​International Rescue Committee where she led ​gender-based violence (GBV) programming as part ​of the emergency response team.

Alina Potts

Research Scientist, Gender, Violence and Humanitarian Assistance, The Global Women's Institute (GWI)


Andrew Morley

CEO, World Vision ​International


Andrew Morley has been President of World ​Vision International since February 2019, leading ​the organisation’s work across 100 countries with ​more than 34,000 staff. Alongside this role, in ​2022 he was appointed Chair of the Steering ​Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR). ​Andrew is also a member of the Inter-Agency ​Standing Committee (IASC), the most senior ​decision-making body in humanitarian affairs for ​the United Nations, and the IASC’s Champion on ​Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse ​and Sexual Harassment (PSEAH).

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Session 5 - the panel

Advocating as one to mitigate and prevent food crises

Waseem Ahmed

Session Moderator

CEO, Islamic Relief

Waseem Ahmad joined the Islamic Relief family ​over 20 years ago, serving as Programme Officer in ​the Balochistan province of south-western Pakistan ​before becoming Head of Programmes in Pakistan. ​Waseem then moved to Oxfam and Tearfund ​before returning to Islamic Relief to establish our ​mission in Malawi. Later serving as Head of ​Programme Funding and Partnerships, Waseem led ​the response to major crises across the globe, ​including the East Africa drought, Pakistan ​earthquake and the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

Stephen Tangun

CEO, ​Star Trust ​Organization, ​South Sudan

Tangun Stephen is a co-founder and executive director of Star Trust Organization (STO), an indigenous organization improving livelihoods in South Sudan. He is also a co-founder of Kings College secondary school (Yambio). As an economist by training, Tangun views economic empowerment as the best strategy to liberate his people from poverty, and has committed his time to designing projects and ventures aimed at helping farmers improve their productivity and incomes. Tangun has worked with WFP projects since 2018 to support food and nutrition security in South Sudan.

Valerie Guarnieri

WFP Assistant Executive Director

Valerie N. Guarnieri is Assistant Executive Director for Programme and Policy Development. In this role, she leads WFP’s work around the world to provide food, cash and technical assistance that helps people and nations to meet urgent needs, build resilience and improve food security. Global partnerships to empower women, support refugees and displaced populations, combat malnutrition and ensure that all hungry children benefit from nutritious school meals also fall under her leadership.

Caroline Den Dul