Maryam Al Muhairi calls for investment in sustainable food systems

Her Excellency Maryam bint Mohammed Al Muhairi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, responsible for the food systems file at the COP28 Conference of the Parties, called on world leaders to cooperate together to invest the potential of sustainable food systems in efforts to confront climate change.

This came during her participation in the World Food Security Summit, which was held in cooperation between the UAE, the United Kingdom, and the Somali Democratic Republic, and sponsored by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in the capital, London, yesterday.

The summit witnessed the presence of an elite group of international figures, including Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Republic of Somalia, and Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

The summit also witnessed the United Kingdom highlighting its support for the “UAE Declaration on Food Systems, Agriculture and Climate Action”, within the “COP28 Program for Food Systems and Agriculture”, which aims to encourage countries to invest in sustainable agricultural and food systems, and to align their national food systems and agricultural strategies with their contributions. Nationally defined, national adaptation plans and national biodiversity strategies.

The Declaration forms part of the first of the four pillars that make up the “COP28 Agenda for Food Systems and Agriculture”, which are: catalyzing national leadership; engaging non-state actors; promoting innovation; and expanding financing.

Her Excellency Al Muhairi said: “I am pleased with the United Kingdom’s support for the UAE Declaration on Food Systems, Agriculture and Climate Action.” “It is collective action that allows us to make a fundamental change and protect our planet and our people.” She added: “Today the world is witnessing a cycle of escalating climate threats that can only be avoided if we show a real will to make a difference and make sufficient efforts to achieve this.”

During her opening speech at the summit, Her Excellency Al Muhairi confirmed that the UAE intends to “continue the momentum of the food and climate agenda set by the United Kingdom during the Conference of the Parties (COP26) and its pace accelerated further at the Conference of the Parties (COP27) in Egypt,” explaining that the UAE will work through the “COP27 Conference Program.” Parties to COP28 on Food Systems and Agriculture “stimulate dialogue on food systems and place it at the heart of the agenda of the COP Presidency.”

Looking forward to the holding of the Conference of the Parties (COP28), Her Excellency added: “The COP28 Presidency program begins with a high-level session on ‘Food and Climate’, and every day thereafter includes at least one event hosted by the Conference Presidency related to food systems and agriculture, bringing the program to its climax in December 10, and before the parties move to final negotiations on December 11 and 12, we celebrate the designation of a day for food, agriculture and water.

Her Excellency also said: “Our goal is to highlight the severe pressures and risks that climate change imposes on food, agricultural and water systems, which are pivotal to human well-being. On the Food, Agriculture and Water Day at COP28, we will review the challenges and opportunities that food systems present and what they can do to preserve the planet.”

Later yesterday, Her Excellency Maryam Al Muhairi opened a panel discussion on “Building a sustainable and climate-resistant agricultural sector and food system.” She spoke about the importance of innovation, technology and finance in transforming our food systems and creating a more sustainable world.

In her speech, Her Excellency reviewed the main milestones in the UAE’s climate action process so far, such as the launch of the “UAE Strategy for Climate Neutrality 2050,” which defines work mechanisms to achieve climate neutrality and reduce emissions in the UAE in all basic sectors, including agriculture, in addition to issuing The third edition of the second report on the UAE’s Nationally Determined Contributions, which is the third edition within three years.