Mariam Almheiri, the UAE Minister for Climate Change, and COP28 Food Systems Lead announced the UAE’s co-hosting of the inaugural Ministerial Dialogue on Water-Resilient Food Systems with Brazil at COP28.
Speaking at the UN-organized World Food Day Conference in Rome, Almheiri stressed the necessity for global cooperation in addressing climate change, emphasizing that environmental challenges have no boundaries.
She called for increased international collaboration to confront the global issue of food insecurity and underscored COP28’s focus on ushering in a more inclusive approach to food finance, according to WAM.
Almheiri Affirms UAE’s Climate Commitment to Global Leaders
Almheiri conveyed the UAE’s commitment to offering an all-encompassing solution to the climate crisis to a diverse audience and panel of global figures, including the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, and the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.
The 2023 World Food Day theme is ‘water,’ and Almheiri pointed out that agriculture, a significant consumer of freshwater globally, is responsible for up to 33% of total global emissions based on FAO data.
The Minister said: “Our vision for our Presidency of COP28 is that we must work together, share knowledge and ideas to find a united solution to ensure no one is left behind. We need to be reminded of the harsh realities of what happens when the balance of water in our food systems fails us.”
Thanking the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations for its World Food Day focus on the vital issue of water, H.E. added: “From devastating famines to severe droughts and life-threatening floods, we are seeing their frequency spike as the globe is impacted by climate change. Feeding the world’s growing population equitably and sustainably cannot be achieved without water.”
She added: “How we manage the rapid rise in demand, production, distribution and consumption of food will be one of the single biggest challenges we face in the fight against climate change — and is something the UAE will put front and centre at COP28.”
UAE’s Commitment to Water-Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action at COP28
The Minister urged countries to endorse the Emirates Declaration on Building Water-Resilient Food Systems, Sustainable Agriculture, and Climate Action.
This commitment involves aligning national food systems and agricultural strategies with Nationally Determined Contributions, National Adaptation Plans, and National Biodiversity Strategies.
She also announced that during COP28 on December 10, 2023, the UAE will host the inaugural Ministerial Dialogue on Establishing Water-Resilient Food Systems in partnership with Brazil.
This groundbreaking session will convene ministers, private sector representatives, international organizations, and civil society to assess the resilience of water and food systems within Nationally Determined Contributions and National Action Plans.
“COP28 provides an opportunity to shift the world towards climate-resilient development. We must invest in adaptation solutions with a particular focus on food and water to promote resilience and sustainable development.
The challenges we face in securing our food systems and addressing climate change are substantial. However, the principles of inclusivity and shared responsibility should motivate us all to take action. Our future and that of our children hinge on it,” the Minister concluded.
The annual World Food Day event featured special messages from His Holiness Pope Francis and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, emphasizing the critical global importance of mitigating the impacts of climate change.
