This week, over 80 experts convened at the Commonwealth Secretariat to address food security and climate finance in light of budget cuts. Hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat and Nigeria, the roundtable stressed the urgency of these issues. Key takeaways included the need for improved data collection, digital solutions, and cross-departmental collaboration to enhance resilience in food systems.
This week, over 80 experts gathered at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London to address the crucial intersection of food security and climate finance in light of global development budget cuts. The Roundtable on Climate Finance and Food Security was co-hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology, emphasizing collaboration on these pressing issues.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland KC, conveyed her gratitude to the Government of Nigeria for facilitating this important dialogue. In her pre-recorded video message, she emphasized the urgency of addressing food security as it is intrinsically linked to climate adaptation efforts. She lamented that climate finance has not kept pace with the challenges presented by climate change, resulting in inadequate support for vulnerable nations.
Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, outlined strategies to integrate innovative approaches to climate finance with food security strategies. He highlighted Nigeria’s agricultural sector as vital for economic growth, stating, “Agriculture is the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, driving 25% of our GDP and providing livelihoods for 70% of our workforce.” Nonetheless, he noted significant hurdles faced within the sector, particularly deforestation and desertification affecting food production.
Participants discussed the necessity of crop nutrition in the global food supply, explaining that agriculture alone does not guarantee food security. Concerns were raised regarding the prevalence of tobacco farming in East Africa, which, despite cultivating land, does not contribute to food sufficiency. The relationship between climate, land use, health, and nutrition is increasingly complex.
Working in smaller groups, attendees were tasked with exploring the connections between climate-smart agriculture and global investment. One participant remarked on the complexity of introducing carbon credits—a sentiment echoed by a Kenyan delegate who emphasized trust-building and good practices. An Indian delegate proposed enhancing food labels with soil quality indicators to encourage sustainable agricultural practices.
Significantly, challenges around policy navigation were addressed, with many recognizing that cross-departmental collaboration is essential yet currently fraught with difficulties. A consensus developed around the need for digitalization as a transformative tool for climate-smart agriculture solutions, highlighting the necessity for improved data coordination in countries to facilitate these advancements.
Outcomes from the roundtable focused on advancing holistic approaches in national food systems to overcome challenges related to infrastructure and technology. Participants called for enhanced soil management practices, improved irrigation, and better storage facilities while emphasizing the importance of quality data collection for various agricultural metrics to enable access to climate finance.
The roundtable hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat and Nigeria highlighted the critical connections between food security and climate finance amid global budgetary constraints. Experts discussed innovative strategies and collaborative actions necessary to enhance agricultural resilience. The outcomes will inform cross-sectional efforts geared towards mobilizing climate finance and enhancing value chains within national and continental contexts.
Original Source: thecommonwealth.org
