Dr Garba Laouali, African Development Bank's Manager of Agricultural Production, Sustainability, and Research Division (L), H.E Ahmed Madobe Nunow, Minister of Agriculture of the Federal Government of Somalia, Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma, African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Professor Nqosa Mahaol, Minister of Energy, Kingdom of Lesotho representing King Letsie III (R).
African Leaders for Nutrition, a platform for high-level political engagement to advance nutrition in Africa, and partners hosted a high-level side event on integrating nutrition financing in the climate change framework on the sidelines of COP28.
King Letsie III of Lesotho used the occasion to launch an important position paper, "From Commitment to Action - Integrating Nutrition Financing in the Climate Change Framework." Speaking during the opening ceremony on behalf of the king, Prof Nqosa Mahaol, Minister of Energy for Lesotho, emphasized the pivotal role of the position paper that calls upon African leaders to prioritize the strategic utilization of climate finance to bolster food systems that are not only robust and healthy but also sustainable and equitable.
Reiterating the impact of climate change on vital food and posing a severe threat to global nutrition security, he said, ''It is crucial to emphasize that transitioning towards sustainable, climate-resilient, and healthy diets not only mitigates health and climate change costs but also fortifies food security in the face of climate-induced challenges.''
The paper highlights the crucial link between climate change and nutrition and argues for integrating nutrition considerations into the climate financing framework.
Prof Mahaol added, ''The risk of hunger and malnutrition could surge by 20% by 2050 if the global community fails to mitigate and prevent the adverse effects of climate change effectively.... It is paramount to adopt comprehensive strategies that seamlessly integrate climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and nutrition interventions to ensure the well-being and resilience of communities contending with climate-related malnutrition challenges in Africa.''
Speaking to the important intersection between nutrition and climate change, Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma, African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, stressed the need for a global response to adopt a comprehensive approach that integrates nutrition financing into our broader climate change strategies, stating, ''We must recognize that climate change is not solely an environmental concern but a determinant of food security, nutrition, and overall well-being.''
Climate change significantly impacts malnutrition, affecting food systems, availability, access, and nutritional quality. The intricate interactions between climate change and malnutrition underscore the urgent need for comprehensive and integrated approaches to tackle both challenges simultaneously.
Ambassador Minata emphasized that, ''Today, we convene to discuss a matter of paramount importance: the integration of nutrition financing into Africa's Climate Change Framework. We find ourselves at a crossroads, where the impact of climate change poses an unprecedented threat to the health and well-being of our people. At the same time, we recognize that adequate nutrition is fundamental to building resilience and ensuring the prosperity of our communities.''
Dr Garba Laouali, Manager of the African Development Bank Agricultural Production, Sustainability, and Research division said that while recognising climate change as a driver of malnutrition affecting availability, access, and nutritional quality of food, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive, integrated approach that addresses simultaneously the complexity between climate change and malnutrition.
Afshan Khan, SUN Movement Coordinator presented the overview of the position paper: ''The integration of nutrition financing into climate financing marks a pivotal step towards addressing intertwined challenges. This paper outlines a comprehensive approach essential for Africa's sustainable development."
Incorporating nutrition concerns into the climate finance framework is imperative given climate change's escalating impacts and risks. Over 2 billion individuals face micronutrient deficiency, 828 million people are undernourished, and 676 million suffer from obesity. Child and maternal malnutrition rank among the top ten contributors to death and disease in women and men, with six of the top ten causes being diet-related. Ahmed Madobe Nunow, the Minister of Agriculture for the Federal Government of Somalia supported the evidence by painting a clear picture of malnutrition in Somalia where nearly 5 million people grapple with malnutrition.
Summing up the outcomes of this significant event that encapsulates the essence of the position paper launch, African Leaders for Nutrition Coordinator George Ouma called for collective actions to ensure that nutrition financing is included in climate change frameworks by the end of COP28.
The position paper is the fruit of collaboration between the African Leaders for Nutrition and partners including, the African Union Commission, Scaling Up Nutrition-SUN Movement, Harvest Plus, Power of Nutrition, Nutrition International, Global Panel, UNICEF, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, and UN Nutrition.
The meeting which took place December 9, was hosted by the Government of Somalia, the African Union Nutrition Champion, the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank's African Leaders for Nutrition, and partners.
Family photo, COP28 side event on Integrating Nutrition Finance in the Climate Change Framework.
Contact:
Natalie Nkembuh, Communication and External Relations | [email protected]
