The Save Food Initiative is expanding its international cooperation and formalising a partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the World Packaging Organisation (WPO). The joint activities focus on strengthening the role of packaging, processing and industrial innovation in reducing food loss and waste at all stages of the value chain. At interpack 2026, the Save Food Initiative will use a range of formats to present how it is implementing its goals on a global scale.
Since its launch in 2011, the Save Food Initiative has been working with international organisations, industry partners and institutions to reduce food loss and waste throughout the supply chain. The formalisation of cooperation with UNIDO and WPO adds further technical depth to the initiative, increases its global reach and reinforces the political relevance of its activities. The involvement of the new partners complements the existing commitment of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which has cooperated with Save Food since the initiative was established and contributes its expertise in food security and sustainable food systems.
International cooperation to reduce food loss
According to the initiative's representatives, effective action against food loss and waste requires coordinated efforts by many stakeholders, including suppliers of packaging and processing technologies. Thomas Dohse, Director interpack and Save Food Initiative, stresses: "Food loss and waste is a global problem that only international cooperation can effectively address. With UNIDO and the World Packaging Organisation, we are uniting industry know-how, development policy expertise and practical solutions. This partnership strengthens Save Food as a global platform and highlights the contribution that packaging and processing can make to realising UN Sustainable Development Goals."
UNIDO emphasises the importance of the so-called midstream segment in the agrifood chain, covering processing, logistics and distribution. UNIDO Managing Director Gunther Beger explains: "Strengthening the agrifood midstream is vital for advancing agro-industrial development, expanding value addition, and building resilient, nutrition-focused food systems. The hidden middle remains where losses concentrate and transformation potential is greatest. Guided by the World Without Hunger Initiative and UNIDO's Food Loss and Waste Action Plan, we continue to prioritize midstream infrastructure, climate-smart processing, and SME capacity to reduce post-harvest loss, enhance food safety, and drive inclusive, climate-resilient growth."
In UNIDO's view, the Save Food Initiative stands out by combining global industry expertise with concrete projects implemented on the ground. "Save Food combines global industry expertise with specific on-the-ground projects. This kind of bridge-building is crucial to establishing sustainable value chains and improving long-term food security" adds Gunther Beger.
The role of packaging organisations and FAO
The World Packaging Organisation sees the new partnership as an opportunity to further integrate packaging aspects into the global debate on food loss and its environmental impact. "The World Packaging Organisation is proud to become a strategic alliance partner of the Save Food Initiative alongside FAO, UNIDO and Messe Düsseldorf. This collective group brings extensive knowledge to global and local discussions on how food loss and waste can be minimised and environmental impacts reduced wherever possible. Through the Save Food Initiative, the WPO can help elevate awareness and education about the true role that packaging plays in minimising food loss and waste. The WPO truly believes that together we can support and foster sustainable food systems around the globe that interlink agriculture, farming, packing, processing, packaging, waste management and end of life recovery of all waste. This should be a collective effort, so we welcome everyone to be a part of the change we need" says Nerida Kelton, Vice President Sustainability & Save Food at the World Packaging Organisation.
FAO remains a key partner of the initiative, particularly in the areas of food security, sustainable agriculture and food systems, and the development of enabling policy environments. Raimund Jehle, FAO Deputy Regional Representative in Europe and Central Asia, notes: "Food loss and waste is a global challenge that requires joint action. The FAO's partnership with Messe Düsseldorf as part of the Save Food Initiative supports innovation-driven solutions, including packaging technologies that contribute to food safety, reduce waste and promote food systems that are more sustainable."
To date, cooperation between the partners has included participation in the Save Food Design Awards, specialist forums and pilot projects in different regions of the world. The partners now announce closer collaboration on the implementation of practical solutions, from design-for-recycling and transport and protective packaging to education and training programmes.
Save Food programme at interpack 2026
A key platform for presenting joint activities will be interpack 2026, to be held in Düsseldorf from 7 to 13 May. Together with UNIDO and the World Packaging Organisation, the Save Food Initiative is preparing a multi-day programme that will bring together different perspectives and formats, focused on practical reduction of food loss and on demonstrating the role of packaging and processing technologies.
The programme will include Save Food Expert Talks with international experts and industry representatives, as well as a Save Food Highlight Route, where member companies will showcase specific solutions for reducing food loss. An important element will also be the presentation of the Save Food Awards, intended to draw attention to the most effective and innovative approaches.
During interpack 2026, the Save Food project competition will also be held. For the first time, several projects will be recognised and receive financial support. The aim is to raise the profile of successful solutions, strengthen knowledge transfer and provide specific impetus for sustainable food systems worldwide.
