A UAE and US-led global coalition to enhance food security and limit the impact of climate change has announced a plan to double its investment target from $4 billion to $8bn by the time Cop27 begins in Egypt this November.

 

The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) had earlier pledged $4bn of new investments in climate-smart agriculture and inventive food systems at the Cop26 in Glasgow in November last year with the UAE and the US taking the lead.

 

The new target was announced after the group’s first ministerial-level meeting in Dubai on Monday that set the agenda before the UN climate change conference in Sharm El Sheikh later this year.

 

The projects will focus on working with small farm holders in low and middle income countries, methane reduction, emerging technologies and agro-ecological research.

 

“We all share a vision for making our food system innovative, resilient and ultimately sustainable through increasing investment in agriculture research and development,” Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Minister of State for Food Security, told a forum on food and agriculture at the Dubai Expo.

 

She spoke at the Expo after co-chairing the Aim for Climate ministerial meeting, with Thomas Vilsack, US agriculture secretary, among 30 ministers in attendance.

 

The Aim for Climate initiative has the support of more than 140 countries and non-government groups including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

 

“The transformation to sustainable food systems is an urgent task and we don’t have a lot of time,” Ms Al Mheiri said.

 

“The UAE seeks to become a leading exporter of sustainable agricultural solutions for hot and arid climates.

 

“We are keen to share our experience with our partners and work with other countries to address critical challenges of our food systems.

 

“We see ourselves as an open lab to innovate, discover and put forward solutions.” (The National)