During her interactions with African ministers and leaders at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AGRF), the UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Mariam Bint Mohammed Almheiri, galvanized support for global food system transformation and built momentum for COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference hosted by the UAE.

The AGRA-organized seminar occurred amid a momentous week for UAE-Africa ties, after the UAE’s offer of $4.5 billion in support of sustainable energy projects during the Africa Climate Summit.

Speaking at the AGRF, Mariam Almheiri, who is also COP28 Food Systems Lead, said: “This has been a pivotal and historic week for the African continent. Just a few days ago, the Nairobi Declaration was endorsed in addition to billions of dollars in commitments to enable African countries achieve inclusive green growth in the face of climate change.

“On behalf of the UAE, we are truly honored to make our $4.5 billion contribution to unlock Africa’s clean energy potential. Further, our discussions at this Forum reaffirm the need to transform food systems to make them more resilient and inclusive and leverage them as engines of economic growth and prosperity for all. These events have also set a firm foundation for COP28, where energy, finance and food will be key elements of the UAE’s COP28 presidency agenda.”

Almheiri participated in a round table discussion on sustainable food system transformation, emphasizing the significance of the COP28 Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda, which she introduced at the UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment in Rome in July.

The UAE Minister highlighted the agenda’s main goals: energizing national leadership, enabling non-state actors to participate, scaling up innovation, and financing. She also urged African countries to join the Leaders Declaration on Food Systems, Agriculture, and Climate Action to demonstrate their commitment to working toward adaptation and mitigation throughout food systems.