Climate change stands as a threat to the foundations of our global food systems. Today, soaring

temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and extreme weather are adversely affecting our ability

to feed ourselves, demanding urgent solutions. The escalating impacts of climate change are

making it increasingly challenging for citizens to produce or afford healthy meals. The pressure

on Africa’s food systems necessitates producers to adapt their practices and technologies and

increase their output through more efficient and sustainable approaches. However, it is this

pressure that puts Africa at the centre of global climate action, with the continent’s leaders now

seeing the economic opportunities that can emerge from climate action. Investments in

renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and clean technologies have the potential to drive

economic growth, job creation, and innovation. Africa stands poised to make early gains

due to its strategic location and vast natural resources. The African Common Position from the

2021 UN Food Systems Summit recognises such opportunities. At the 2023 Africa Food

Systems Forum in Dar-es-Salaam, African leaders reiterated their commitment to regenerate,

re-purpose and protect their regions against the devastating effects of climate change.

Moreover, leaders sought to expedite access to practical knowledge for farmers, recognizing the

vital role of timely information in sustainable agriculture. This agenda has been elevated by the

UAE to define conversations and decision-making at the 28th Climate Change Convention

(COP28). The COP28 Presidential Action Agenda seeks to build on the progress and momentum of recent years with the UN Food Systems Summit, COP26 in the UK, and COP27 in Egypt, and emphasises the need for all countries to integrate their food systems and climate action better to deliver for people and the planet. At the core of this agenda, the COP presidency has put forward the leader-level Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, where all global leaders would voluntarily commit to incorporating food systems and agriculture into their climate planning and action by 2025.

Expedited initiatives in these areas, encompassing production, consumption, processing, transport, storage, and tackling food loss and waste are all critical for accelerating global climate goals and ensuring the food security, resilience, and livelihoods of billions of people. Inclusivity

also stands out as a key COP28 agenda item, with the participation of women, youth and indigenous communities required at all levels of decision-making. African countries are encouraged to lead the transformation from their unique contexts and draw inspiration from countries that have already made major strides. Innovative financing solutions are being explored to facilitate investments in priority climate actions, especially through the Green Climate Fund, aimed at securing essential resources for critical climate initiatives.

However, we have fallen short on the second replenishment of the Fund, but there is still time to recover by honouring loss and damage pledges, adaptation finance pledges, and incentivizing private investments. Finally, it is important to restate that the success of the global climate agenda depends on leadership. 

The COP28 Presidency during the Pre-COP meetings in Abu Dhabi laid out its commitment to addressing the decarbonisation challenge, openly addressing what many referred to as the elephant in the room: We must be willing to have difficult conversations to move forward on important issues and work together to rise above climate change and secure a sustainable future for all. Harnessing the momentum from COP28 and past commitments, we must now overcome the dilemma of choosing between climate action and development, enabling the simultaneous pursuit of both. 

We must also break the cycle of delays and dangerous procrastination. Urgency is critical as risks continue to escalate, leaving us with no time for disunity, and requiring us to prioritize collaboration over self-interest and defensiveness. The time for action is now; let us leverage the convening power of COP28 to turbocharge action and make a difference for future generations. Let’s move forward together on the “Clean Industrial Revolution” to secure the future of humanity and our planet.

Dr Agnes Kalibata is President of AGRA, a member of the COP28 Advisory Committee, and served as Special Envoy for the 2021 Food Systems Summit.