Purpose:
The purpose of the proposed side event is threefold:

• Take stock of the progress on agriculture-related issues, following the 22nd Conference of Parties (COP22) in Marrakesh, Morocco
• Share information and experiences on climate change adaptation in the agricultural sectors
• Raise the visibility of the FAO/UNDP National Adaptation Plans (NAP-Ag) Programme

Background information:
Climate change poses new and unprecedented challenges to agricultural production, threatening food security and nutrition across the world. The need to adapt to changing climatic conditions is especially pressing for the poor who depend directly on agriculture for their livelihoods. The Paris Agreement adopted last year at COP21 represents a milestone in international climate negotiations and on climate change adaptation in particular. For the first time ever, countries agreed on a global goal for adaptation, invited countries to report on their progress on adaptation and highlighted the importance of engaging in national adaptation planning. A recent FAO analysis of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) submitted by all Parties ahead of COP21, shows that 131 countries recognized agriculture as a key sector, which is at the forefront in adapting to a changing climate. Furthermore, many countries are in the process of developing their National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), which aims at identifying medium and long-term adaptation needs and to implement strategies and programmes to address those needs.

Climate change adaptation will also play a key role at the Marrakech Climate Change Conference COP22 in November 2016, which is expected to focus on action items in order to achieve the priorities of the Paris Agreement. The ambition of COP22 requires a concerted effort among different partners in order to achieve the actions sought. Supporting countries’ agricultural sectors in adapting to climate change, sharing experiences and leveraging additional resources are central to the work of FAO.

This session will be organized in the framework of the FAO and UNDP NAP-Ag programme, an initiative launched in 2015 and supported by the German government to help eleven countries to integrate the agricultural sectors into their NAPs. It aims at taking stock of the COP22 outcomes in relation to climate change adaptation and their implications for agriculture. The session presents countries’ efforts to adapt to climate change in the agricultural sector with a focus on NAPs. It will consider how developing countries and LDCs across the globe are developing their adaptation plans and how they are conducive to food security and increased resilience in the medium and long term.

Responsible office:

NRC through the Integrating Agriculture in National Adaptation Plans (NAP-Ag) Programme

Languages:

English, French, Spanish

Moderator:

Martin Frick, Director, Climate and Environment Division (NRC)

Panel:

• Alexandre Meybeck, FAO Senior Policy Officer on Agriculture, Environment and Climate Change
• His Excellency Dr Hinrich Thölken,
  Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to FAO
• Representative of NAP-Ag country: Her Excellency Dinah Grace Akello
  Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uganda to FAO

Agenda:

 

• Introduction and opening remarks, M. Frick, NRC
• Screening of the animation video “Integrating Agriculture in National Adaptation Plans”
  
• Presentations by the panellists
• Panel discussion

 

Related links:

Integrating Agriculture in National Adaptation Plans (NAP-Ag)
NAP-Ag Brochure

Twitter hashtag:

#CL155; #COP22