Turquoise Nexus Initiative
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The Turquoise Nexus Initiative (TNI) is a country-led, multi-stakeholder initiative proposed as a flagship programme of FAO’s Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation (FAST) Partnership. The Initiative will be led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye under the coordination of the COP31 Presidency.
TNI aims to address a critical institutional gap by strengthening alignment between global food systems governance, national water resource management and climate commitments reflected in national climate strategies, including nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and national adaptation plans (NAPs).
By positioning sustainable water management as a foundation for food security and establishing a country-owned network for knowledge exchange and policy alignment, TNI seeks to support a transformative shift in how countries experiencing food insecurity and water stress develop and implement their agricultural development strategies. The Initiative will focus on three strategic areas: policy coherence and implementation support, knowledge generation and technical exchange, and investment readiness and finance alignment.
TNI will bring together governments, international organizations, research institutions, civil society and the private sector around a shared agenda for climate-resilient, water-centred agriculture and food systems.
Core objective
Drawing on Türkiye's experience as a reference framework for water-centred agricultural production models, TNI will establish a global convergence mechanism that integrates food systems transformation, sustainable water management and climate adaptation. The Initiative will translate this integrated approach into national policy commitments and aligned investment flows to support implementation.
Meeting the food–water–climate challenge: Why TNI matters
The world is facing increasingly interconnected challenges. Hunger remains above pre-pandemic levels, water scarcity is intensifying, and climate change is placing growing pressure on agricultural systems. Yet policies on food, water, and climate are often developed in isolation, creating gaps that undermine countries' ability to build resilient food systems and deliver on their climate commitments.
Agriculture accounts for 70 percent of global freshwater withdrawals, yet the food–water–climate nexus remains underrepresented in national climate commitments. This is a significant missed opportunity, as agricultural water management is both a key driver of climate vulnerability and a critical lever for climate adaptation and resilient food systems. Strengthening its integration requires technical assistance, peer learning and policy coalitions to support developing countries in embedding cross-sectoral food–water–climate approaches into national climate commitments and their implementation.
TNI responds to this challenge by creating a space for policy coherence, technical exchange and investment readiness. Drawing on Türkiye's experience in water-centred agricultural transformation, including large-scale irrigation modernization, national drought management and early warning systems, drought-resistant and water-efficient crop development programmes, and the integration of water management into national food policy, TNI will facilitate the exchange of knowledge to support country-owned action.
TNI will support country-led solutions that connect food security, sustainable water management, and climate resilience through stronger partnerships, shared expertise, and aligned financing.
TNI is built around three complementary pillars:
Policy coherence and implementation support
to strengthen alignment across food, water and climate policy frameworks;Knowledge generation and technical exchange
to promote learning, innovation and the sharing of best practices, including through case studies and a global knowledge network linking research, extension and policy institutions;Investment readiness and finance alignment
to help countries mobilize and direct resources towards integrated solutions, including the development of a pipeline of bankable projects that connect water-centred agriculture priorities with climate finance opportunities.
Early expressions of interest following the Initiative’s presentation during the UNFCCC June Climate Meetings (SB64) highlight significant interest from countries, technical institutions, civil society organizations, research institutions and finance partners in engaging through policy coherence, knowledge exchange, implementation support and investment alignment.
The online expression of interest form is open. Countries and organizations interested in participating are encouraged to complete the form to register their interest: https://forms.gle/27kGfnQ4LMVktiMg8
As a proposed flagship programme of the FAST Partnership, TNI will operate within the Partnership’s existing institutional framework. FAST Partnership Members, Observers and Technical Partners, including governments, international organizations, research institutions, civil society and the private sector, will be encouraged to contribute according to their expertise through knowledge sharing, technical cooperation and advocacy support.
Countries and organizations interested in participating in the Turquoise Nexus Initiative that are not yet part of the FAST Partnership will be able to engage through the Partnership’s existing participation modalities, including as Members, Observers or Technical Partners, as appropriate.
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The COP31 Turquoise Nexus Initiative (TNI) was presented on 16 June 2026 to governments, international organizations, development partners and technical...
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Relevant publications
Turquoise Nexus Initiative
09/07/2026
The Turquoise Nexus Ini a ve (TNI) is a proposed country-led, mul-stakeholder ini a ve to be established as a flagship programme of the FAO Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transforma on (FAST) Partnership. The Ini a ve will be led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye under the coordina on of the COP 31 Presidency.
