About the event

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. Through the immersive and engaging format, it will shine a light on the diversity of foods we could be eating through tasting dishes, based on diverse and forgotten or underused ingredients. The massive impact of the climate crisis on food systems all around the world underscores the urgency of this gathering. Crop failures and poor yields are contributing to the loss of lives and livelihoods, poor nutrition, migration, conflict, and other injustices. Meanwhile, agriculture is a major driver of deforestation and also generates a significant proportion of greenhouse gases, contributing in itself to climate change. By 2050, we will need to feed an estimated population of 9 billion, but of the 30,000 edible plants available to us, we rely on just four – wheat, rice, maize and soybean – for 60% of our calories. In this context, the event will spotlight an essential solution to combat climate change – the conservation and use of the wealth of diversity that exists within and among our food crops. This diverse array of biodiversity, including many genetic resources conserved at key international collections can play a crucial part in adapting our food systems to climate change. However, this shared global heritage is under serious threat, and its conservation is vital to feeding a growing population, especially in the face of climate change and related challenges. Across the globe, the shift has begun. Crops forgotten over the past half-century are being rediscovered. Farmers are learning that many of these undervalued crops have the power to combat hunger, respond to climate change, promote biodiversity, provide women with livelihoods, and support healthier and more secure food systems. The Food Forever experience will showcase how we can use crop diversity and sustainable agriculture to address some of the challenges we face.

Watch the event and browse the photos

Click below to watch the livestream or check back after the event to see the recording and photos.

Video

COP28 Food Forever Experience – Invite only