Dubai, On the second day of COP28, a fund dedicated to promoting food security while addressing climate change successfully raised $2.5 billion. This initiative, part of the UAE’s declaration on sustainable agriculture, resilient food systems, and climate action, was unveiled during a special session led by leaders from Indonesia, Italy, Samoa, and the United States.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also joined forces with the UAE, committing $200 million to tackle immediate and long-term challenges to food security and nutrition arising from climate change. The partnership focuses on agricultural research, scaling innovations, and providing technical assistance for implementing the declaration.
Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, emphasized the crucial role of addressing interactions between food systems, agriculture, and climate to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. The initiative aims to build a global food system fit for the future while safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of farmers on the frontlines of climate change.
The UAE’s landmark declaration, endorsed by 134 countries, covers over 5.7 billion people and nearly 500 million farmers responsible for 70% of their food production and 76% of emissions from global food systems. The declaration seeks to strengthen food systems, enhance climate resilience, reduce global emissions, and contribute to the global fight against hunger in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
This first-of-its-kind declaration highlights the urgent need for collective action on climate change, particularly benefiting vulnerable countries and communities. The UAE Minister expressed confidence that sustainable agriculture and food systems will now play a pivotal role in both addressing climate change and building resilient food systems for the future.
