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Climate change and food security: The role of nuclear science

The High-level event will showcase how the Food and Agriculture Organization and International Atomic Energy Agency through the Joint Centre have supported Member States with: research and development, reduction of GHG emissions, and capacity building and technology transfer to increase the resilience of global agrifood systems against the ravishes of climate change.

Accelerating regenerative and agroecological transitions: A philanthropic theory of transformation – How 20+ funders are aligning to unlock the resources needed to shift food systems

Unveiling the first ever global price tag for the cost of regenerative and agroecological transitions, underpinned by regional case studies, outlining global and national priorities for scaling up investment in landscape transformations around the world, making the case for alignment and coordination to meet global targets.

Bridging the gap: IFAD’s role in climate finance for smallholder farmers

This event aims to shed light on the global climate finance, to underline the challenges and gaps, and to introduce innovative mechanisms to address these issues, with a focus on adaptation and nature financing for smallholder rural communities. The event will present findings from the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), which reflects the global landscape of climate finance.

Loss and damage in agrifood systems: Addressing gaps and challenges

COP28 calls for ambitious mobilization of finance for climate action, including arrangements and a new fund for loss and damage. Through a high-level panel discussion, the event aims to launch a report focuses on Loss and Damage in agrifood systems.

Appropriate governance of the implementation bodies of the Sustainable Oases Initiative

The objective of this side event is to gather insights from those interested in oasis ecosystems on the ‘appropriate governance of the implementing bodies of the Sustainable Oases Initiative. This aims to operationalize the Sustainable Oases Initiative, incorporating it into major international trends related to sustainable agroecosystem management and climate change adaptation.

Launch of ARCAFIM – The Africa Rural Climate Adaptation Financing Mechanism

The Africa Rural Climate Adaptation Finance Mechanism (ARCAFIM) is a blended finance risk-sharing facility, together with a technical assistance facility, that catalyzes up to USD 700 million of private sector climate change adaptation (CCA) investments in small producers and MSMEs in rural areas of Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Analyzing global commitments on food security and diets

Progress against food insecurity and poor diet quality has stalled. Governments across the world have made commitments to actions that address food insecurity and poor diets in numerous settings; however, what remains uncertain, is which commitments are most salient towards achieving SDG2

Pioneering evidence-based blended finance instruments for food systems transformation

Food systems are grappling with a large financing shortfall to transition towards a net-zero, nature-positive, and inclusive economy. The existing financing architecture alone cannot bridge this gap without innovative and scalable financing solutions grounded in robust evidence.

Rising tides, rising voices: Addressing climate vulnerability in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in IFAD13 – IFAD’s Thirteenth Replenishment Cycle (2025–2027)

This event is a compelling call to support Small Island Developing States (SIDS), those disproportionately impacted by the harsh realities of climate change, which range from rising sea levels to the increasing occurrence of extreme climate events. Among the hardest hit are the small-scale farmers and producers, who find themselves at the frontline of climate challenges.

Political action for the AMR and environment on the road to the UNGA HLM on AMR in 2024

The session will bring high-level attention to AMR and the need to transform agrifood systems to optimize animal, plant and environmental health, ensure responsible and sustainable use of antimicrobials and most importantly, reduce the need to use antimicrobials and promote innovation for evidence-based and sustainable alternatives.

Financing the regenerative agriculture transition

This event will showcase progress towards developing ground-breaking cross sector financial solutions which aim to accelerate the global transition to a regenerative agricultural system – enabling farming communities throughout the world to deliver positive impacts on climate, nature and health.

Reception: Enhancing climate resilience in the Brazilian semi-arid

The high-level event will present two new flagship projects in Brazil: the Sertão Vivo (also known as Planting Climate Resilience in Rural Communities of Northeast – PCRP) and the Dom Helder Camara Phase III (also known as Climate Resilience, Food Nutrition and Security in the Northeast Semiarid of Brazil- PDHC III).

Catalyzing sustainable food futures: IFAD’s partnership with civil society actors

This event will delve into the importance of multistakeholder processes that enable diverse community-led actions for a sustainable food future. Here, rural civil society actors come together to share their insights, discuss innovative approaches, success stories, lessons learned and explore opportunities for community empowerment in food system transformation.

Scaling up integrated actions to address malnutrition and climate change: An intersectional and intergenerational dialogue

FAO is collaborating with partners to present the advances of the Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN) and its work to catalyse integrated actions that address the challenges of climate change and malnutrition simultaneously.

Implications of climate-related mobility for peace and security

This regional launch event of CGIAR’s MENA Regional Climate Security Hub explores the interactions between climate change, peace, and human mobility. This nexus is particularly relevant in a context of rapid urbanization, where cities are at the forefront of the climate emergency while dealing with inflows of internal migrants and increasing human security concerns.

Will COPs ever offer low emissions agriculture food?

After 3 years of working with the agroecological food distribution network in Belém, second biggest amazonian capital, we have observed that the low-carbon food market relies on the resilience of small NGOs, which struggle to achieve a larger scale.

Transforming drylands: Integrating agriculture innovations towards achieving WEF Nexus for climate resilience in the MENA region

Climate change is heavily impacting rural communities in global drylands. Transforming deserts into sustainable and productive lands is crucial to building resilience. This event showcases integrated farming innovations for MENA and the global drylands.

Addressing loss and damage and advancing climate action in agriculture and food security: A perspective on the upcoming negotiations

The event aims to provide a space to negotiators to share their views on critical issues of loss and damage associated with climate change impacts, with a specific focus on agriculture and food security. The session will also discuss what’s needed to advance climate action within the realms of agriculture and food security. The objective is to provide a platform for diverse stakeholders to engage in an insightful dialogue on challenges and expectations on these two negotiations tracks and inspire concrete actions toward addressing and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Strengthening climate resilience, adaptation and mitigation through food loss and waste reduction

Food loss and waste (FLW) is responsible for 8 to 10 percent of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, while contributing to many factors that drive climate change, such as degradation of natural ecosystems, biodiversity loss and unsustainable use of natural resources. On the other hand, climate change can be a significant causative factor of FLW, for example by increasing the incidence of post-harvest pests, while FLW reduction and related value addition activities provide avenues for building resilience and adapting to climate change.

Advancing gender equality and nutrition through climate action and monitoring progress

Women and men have different levels of vulnerability to climate change given gendered roles and norms. Given women’s relatively lower adaptive capacity, they also are often less likely to take up climate-smart practices in agrifood systems or influence adaptation decisions. These limitations contribute to differential well-being outcomes for men and women, such as nutritional status.

Transforming the food system, solving for climate: The role of private finance

The food system has the potential to become a significant nature-based solution for climate change. However, this will require transformation in many areas. This event will set out what private finance needs to do, and by when, the economic risks if financial institutions fail to act, and the climate, nature and societal benefits if they do.

Recipes for change

Led by renowned Chef Pierre Thiam, this event will explore IFAD’s ground-breaking Recipes for Change initiative, presenting sustainable and locally sourced recipes that reflect the challenges faced by rural communities. Experience a distinct local flavour at COP28, incorporating vital ingredients from traditional dishes and showcasing IFAD’s adaptive solutions to mitigate the devastating effects of the climate crisis.

Unlocking climate finance in fragile and conflict affected settings: Advancing conflict-sensitive approaches in multilateral climate finance

Fragile and conflict-affected settings (FCS) face unique challenges that can impede the effective utilization of climate finance. These settings not only grapple with socio-political instability but also bear a disproportionate impact of climate change. This panel discussion aims to shed light on the importance of conflict-sensitive approaches in the design, allocation, and management of climate finance from the perspective of donors, funds, and executing entities.

Climate action and finance to address food crises in fragile and conflict-affected contexts

How can climate action tackle food crises and build resilience in fragile and conflict-affected countries? This technical session will provide evidence for mobilizing investment in climate actions that build resilient agrifood systems from the ground up in humanitarian and food crises contexts.

Untangling the nexus between gender and climate: The Gender Transformative Mechanism in the context of climate adaptation

How to unravel the dynamic interplay between the negative consequences of climate change and gender inequalities? How to promote gender transformative results in the context of adaptation strategies? How can innovative partnerships bundle transformative approaches, capacity development and rural investments to deliver long lasting results at scale in these different – yet strictly connected – spaces?

The true cost of food: Driving food system transformation at local and global levels

Two reports on True Cost Accounting (TCA) by FAO and the Food System Economics Commission find over USD 10 trillion in hidden costs of the global food system. This figure exceeds current estimates of the food system’s contribution to the global economy.

Power shift: Why we need to wean industrial food systems off fossil fuels

Food and energy systems are fundamentally intertwined. Industrial food systems, in particular, are highly energy intensive and dependent on fossil fuels. This event will highlight findings and recommendations from a new report and feature a moderated panel discussion on the opportunities for action.

The nexus for water, food and energy (NWFE): Bridging the financing gap in climate adaptation programmes

This side event will showcase how national programmes like the Nexus of Water Food & Energy (NWFE) can bridge the financial and collaboration gap to achieve the common national and global climate commitments. It will explore the modalities of blending climate finance, leveraging private sector finance towards rural transformational livelihoods and climate adaptation programmes.

The state of carbon payments and the voluntary carbon market in agriculture

Despite increasing interest in and the pressing need for agricultural sector innovation and transformation, challenges persist in scaling low-emission solutions for resilient agriculture due to limited incentives and investments for farmers. The untapped potential of agriculture in Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCM) is significant, offering numerous socio-economic benefits.

A just transition to more sustainable and healthy livestock production systems

Livestock products are vital for fulfilling nutrition requirements of the majority of the world’s population and particularly in LMICs. However, livestock emissions need to be reduced if climate change targets are to be reached. The session will describe different approaches to reducing emissions in HICs and LMICs.

National actions for climate and food: Launch of new NDC guidance tool for agriculture and food systems

To reach the goals of the Paris Agreement the world needs to raise ambition and scale up implementation in agriculture and food systems, given the fact that up to 42% of GHG emissions are from food production and consumption. The transformation towards sustainable, equitable and just agriculture and food systems within planetary boundaries is at the core of the German development agenda.

Water, food security and nutrition in a climate-constrained world: Enabling research, innovations and learnings for resilient food systems

Three billion people do not have access to nutritious and safe foods, making the diversification of diets an essential tenet of the CGIAR research and innovation agenda. However, the increased consumption of high-valued products has led to significant food safety risks, magnified by climate extremes, water insecurity, and lack of access to clean water across food supply chains.

How non-market approaches could look on the ground

The Paris Agreement highlights the importance of integrated, holistic and balanced non-market approaches to support countries in implementing their nationally determined contributions while also meeting their sustainable development commitments. This session explores how existing mechanisms can comprise non-market approaches and how they could look on the ground by discussing the experience in countries in the Global South.

Crop diversity for climate change adaptation and mitigation contributing to resilient and nature positive futures for farmers globally

The event will show the power of crop genetic diversity to serve as a cost-effective strategy for enhancing climate resilience for food production globally across a range of species contributing to diversified diets. Exploring roots and tubers, cereals, and legumes, including underutilized crops, experts from the global community of crop research and practitioners will highlight various benefits of within and across species diversity.

Building resilience in fragile contexts: Lessons learned from the Sahel and Djibouti

The impacts of climate change are particularly devastating in fragile regions. The Sahel is experiencing changing weather patterns and decreased food production that exacerbate insecurity and poverty lead to mass migration and cross-border conflict. The region is ripe with opportunity thanks to abundant natural resources, but these must be managed in a way that allows rural transformation using innovative solutions, including renewable energy, community-led initiatives and targeted investment.

Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge on regenerative practices, agroecology, and food systems

Indigenous communities have been embodying and practicing sustainable agriculture from an ontological and practical perspective forever, and the rest of the world is only just beginning to see and recognize their value for the whole planet.

Accelerating climate and agriculture solutions to advance global food security and nutrition outcomes

The event would include high-level speeches and a panel discussion focused on opportunities to improve nutritious food systems in the face of climate change.

Role of youth in capacity building and policymaking for climate action in the Global South

The youth represent critical actors in delivering the objectives of the Paris Agreement. This event will highlight the importance of youth action in addressing the climate change agenda in the global south, specifically focusing on the MENA region and Latin America.

Avoiding the perfect storm: Enabling aquatic foods climate solutions through policy, science and finance

While aquatic food dependent communities are known to be amongst the most exposed and vulnerable to climate change impacts, less than 30% of aquatic food producing countries have requested adaptation finance which demonstrates a lack of capacity, awareness and ability to navigate the currently complex pathways to access resources to help improve adaptive capacity and preparedness.

A values-based approach to food systems

What values underlie our food systems? What values should guide our efforts? As part of a “Values Roadshow” at COP28, this event will explore how a values-based approach can inspire constructive change to our food systems. It will also offer an opportunity to share stories of progress.

International Land Coalition: Strengthening land tenure rights of smallholder farmers for sustainable food systems and climate resilience

A quarter of the planet's GHG emissions are attributed to the agriculture sector. Yet not all forms of agriculture are the same. IPCC reports highlight that ecosystem-based approaches to agriculture such as agroecology can promote carbon sequestration and strengthen the resilience of food systems against climate change, while supporting biodiversity, food security, nutrition and livelihoods.

Applying a social equity approach to transformative climate change adaptation

A social equity approach to operationalize transformative methodologies helps minimize maladaptation including adverse impacts on women and indigenous peoples. In terms of climate risk, social equity relates to responsibility for and distribution of climate impacts and policies across society, generations and genders, including in terms of who participates in and controls decision-making.

Less emissions with better livestock production: Climate solutions for sustainable livestock transformation

The release of the new FAO global assessment on livestock’s GHG emissions and the FAO report on methane emissions in livestock and rice systems provide a foundation for informed action and decision-making towards more low-emissions and climate-resilient practices.

From shallow to deep: Shifting corporate commitments on regenerative landscapes from carbon-only to holistic outcomes for people and planet

This session will build on Regen10’s farmer-centric alignment work on regenerative agriculture outcomes to promote discussions on what corporates need to do to deepen their commitments to deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits for people and the planet through regenerative agriculture.

Innovate for change: Empowering youth in climate and agribusiness

This extraordinary event combines passion, innovation, and creative arts to empower rural youth and young agri-preneurs in their mission to combat climate change and drive innovation in agriculture. This is not just a panel discussion; it’s an immersive experience.

A COP Week 2 waystation for those raising the ambition on food systems: The state of food systems at COP 28 and the road to COP 30

COP28 offers the most ambitious set of opportunities to advance multiple facets of the food systems transition agenda, including the Emirates Declaration on Resilient Food Systems, Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Action, a new roadmap for the Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food systems (SSJW) the Non State Actors Call to Action on Food System Transformation.

Partnerships that mobilize investments for climate-resilient food systems in fragile and conflict-affected regions

CGIAR and the World Food Programme (WFP) will launch a new partnership that will support food systems innovators in fragile contexts (Nigeria, Mozambique, Yemen, Jordan) through science-driven entrepreneurship support and invite public and private stakeholders to collaborate, with the support of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

From planning to practices: Integrating land use planning (ILUP) for climate-smart agriculture and food security

Land and water resources are finite natural resources on the planet. These resources are degraded due to both human and climatic impacts. Innovative approaches are needed to use resources sustainably to support agri-food systems transformation. This event will demonstrate a climate-informed and water-wise integrated land use planning guidelines recently being updated by FAO.

The state of agri-food systems in a climate crisis and the role of IPCC-IPBES and other global assessments

The world’s poor heavily rely on agrifood systems, which are vulnerable to climate change. Agri-food systems also contribute to up to a third of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To reduce GHG emissions, various options exist, but they don’t always align with sustainable development goals like zero hunger.

Ecosystem restoration to combat global warming, biodiversity loss and food insecurity: Scaling up via the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

This event addresses the critical importance of a shared vision, standards of practice and harmonized monitoring tools for achieving the ambitious goals of the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, especially in support of restoring ecosystem health and productivity.

Barriers and levers for scaling nature-based solutions to build smallholder’s climate resilience

Natural resource degradation and climatic changes are threatening the viability of smallholder farmers, fishers, forest producers, and rural communities. These rural community groups often bear the brunt of land degradation, climate-related disruptions, resource constraints, and socio-economic vulnerabilities.

From commitment to action: How can existing initiatives and tools help advance the COP28 Food Systems Transformation Agenda?

Agriculture and food security featured prominently at COP26 and COP27, and the COP28 President’s Action Agenda makes it clear that we need to take action to achieve resilient, sustainable and equitable food systems that provide affordable, safe and nutritious food for all.

Reshaping our food systems: Landscape transformation for people, nature, and climate

At this event, Regen10 and 1000 Landscapes for 1 Billion people, with Commonland and EcoAgriculture Partners, share lessons and insights about the enabling conditions for landscape regeneration, the expected financial costs and benefits of these transitions, and the need for a common long-term vision and commitment at landscape level.

The future of food: How to sustainably keep our plates full?

Ensuring sustainable food systems that can feed a growing population, while safeguarding the planet, is one of the biggest challenges in a generation. A big challenge needs a big response. Join us for an event looking at innovative approaches to financing and private sector involvement.

Fireside Chat – The role of finance in transforming food systems

Join Daniela Chiriac and Danielle Nierenberg for a pragmatic discussion on how finance can play a transformative role in our global food systems.

Moving from planning to implementation: Solutions on how to accelerate transformative adaptation action in agrifood systems

FAO will provide a space for exchange on system-level approaches to adaptation in agrifood systems, highlighting country achievements on the journey from planning NAPs and NDCs to implementing transformative action. The event will launch FAO’s latest collection of success stories on implementing solutions for climate change adaptation.

Fireside Chat – Farmers and the climate crisis: success stories from the ground

Join Million Belay and Danielle Nierenberg for an unvarnished conversation that highlights the experiences and successes of farmers in addressing the climate crisis at the grassroots level. Together, we can learn from these practical examples to build a more sustainable and resilient future.

Fireside Chat – How fair trade can help producers invest in climate solutions

Join us for a practical discussion on how fair trade practices can enable producers to invest in climate solutions. 

Towards an evidence, outcomes, and principles-based transition to regenerative food systems

This event introduces the Regenerative Food Systems Outcomes Framework: Zero Draft. The event will highlight how the framework is intended to build an evidence base that makes clear what can be measured at farm and landscape level and captures deep environmental, social, and economic outcomes.

Responsible consumption and sustainable production: Pathways for climate-friendly food systems 

While 783 million people still face hunger, a significant portion of the world’s population now grapples with overconsumption and unhealthy eating habits. At the same time, the expansion of agricultural frontiers is reaching its limit, leading to environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.

Fireside Chat – Why we must invest in farmers

Join Vijay Kumar, Keith Agoda, and Kenzie Wade for a grounded discussion on why investing in farmers is pivotal for a more sustainable and equitable food future.

Fireside Chat – Ways the private sector can transform food systems

Join Dorothy Shaver and Kenzie Wade for a practical discussion on how the private sector can actively contribute to the evolution of global food systems, providing actionable insights for a more sustainable and equitable food future.

COP28 Food Forever Experience – Invite only

This Food Forever event at COP28 – on the evening of Food, Agriculture and Water day – will bring together high-level delegates and officials from governments, civil society and the private sector to explore issues relating to biodiversity, climate change and sustainable agriculture.

How can goals and targets accelerate adaptation and unlock finance? Fostering demand-driven and practical approaches to tracking the Global Goal on Adaptation

As the impacts of climate change continue to accelerate across the world, food systems need to adapt swiftly. But how can we ensure adaptation strategies are effective and yield the desired results?

Digital innovations for climate-resilient agriculture: A pathway to sustainable food systems

The event will focus on digital solutions for climate-smart agriculture. IFAD will showcase digital tools such as mobile applications, geographic information systems (GIS), precision agriculture, and earth observation data analysis, and highlight their role in promoting climate resilience among smallholder farmers.

Building socio-ecological resilience through ecosystem-based solutions to address the climate crisis and safeguard biodiversity

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are combining to stress the planet and our global food systems. This stress is exacerbated by forest loss, land and soil degradation, unsustainable agricultural practices, water scarcity, and disasters like droughts and floods.

Restoring mountain ecosystems: International Mountain Day 2023

International Mountain Day 2023 will increase awareness about the relevance of mountain ecosystems and call for nature-positive solutions, best practices and investments that build resilience, reduce vulnerability and increase the ability of mountains to adapt to daily threats and extreme climatic events.

By Africa, for Africa: A new approach to collaboration between Africa’s institutions and CGIAR for climate action in agriculture

CGIAR has played a critical role in global agricultural development for five decades, but lacks resources to deliver innovations in challenging agroecological conditions across Africa on the scale needed to address climate change. Strong national and regional partners are essential, but African institutions (especially NARES) remain dependent on international research organisations.

Financing nutrition for a healthier climate: The power of sustainable diets

The Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN) baseline analysis demonstrates that financing and investing for programmes that link nutrition and climate is very low. Our current food systems do not ensure access to healthy diets for everyone and contribute to diet-related health issues; at the same time they put immense pressure on our environment.

PLACA’s dynamic role as a mechanism for voluntary regional agriculture and climate collaboration in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Platform of Latin America and the Caribbean for Climate Action on Agriculture (PLACA) is a unique initiative in the LAC region, fostering a collaborative network for knowledge sharing and capacity building to support agriculture ministries in aligning with their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. The event will share results of the PLACA to promote regional collaboration and knowledge sharing for climate-resilient agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Climate resilient and sustainable policies and practices to empower women and young farmers

The event will display participatory approaches such as farmer field school (FFS) promoting locally adapted agro-ecological investments by different actors, the Digital Agriculture Innovation Hubs mainstreaming digital agriculture in a global network and innovative, practical solutions brought forward via intergenerational collaboration by young family farmers in the context of the UN Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028).

Unlocking agricultural resilience: Data-driven solutions for sustainable agrifood systems

This collaborative session brings together some key initiatives in the field, sharing a common goal of enhancing climate resilience and leveraging data-driven solutions for agrifood systems. Central to our discussions is the importance of accessible climate and weather data systems, essential for informed decision-making and empowering agriculture, disaster risk reduction and creating market systems that ensure a sustainable and resilient future.

State of the science for regenerative and agroecological production systems: From evidence to action

What can be said of the “state of science” looking across different knowledge types from diverse stakeholders – scientists, farmers, Indigenous land stewards, companies? And what are the critical priorities to ensure that regenerative and agroecological transitions deliver benefits not just for climate and nature but for producers, landscape stewards, and communities?