From vision to action: FAST Partnership sets out concrete steps in 2026 workplan

New FAO analysis shows that, despite agrifood systems having the potential to reduce global emissions by a third, climate-related development finance for the sector is stagnating, and its overall share is declining compared to other sectors.  

This means that smallholder farmers and rural communities are being left without the critical financial support they need to adopt sustainable practices, adapt to climate change, and contribute to the global effort to reduce emissions. 

“We know that there is a mismatch between the potential of agrifood systems and finance flows into them. Equally clear is the task ahead of us which is to close that gap, and help countries tap the opportunities and deploy the full range of instruments that can finance sustainable and resilient agrifood transformation.  This is where FAST can make a difference,” said Kaveh Zahedi, Director of FAO’s Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) in his opening remarks. 

Over 60 representatives of governments, financial institutions, intergovernmental organizations, civil society organizations, youth and farmers’ organizations, Indigenous Peoples, and global and regional networks gathered in FAO headquarters for the FAST Partnership annual Members Meeting. This year, the annual meeting was held alongside the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) Forum, which focused on agriculture and was hosted at FAO. The joint event created valuable opportunities for exchange between the finance, agriculture, and climate communities, helping to align agricultural financing with global dialogues and connect members to funding opportunities for agrifood systems.

Leveraging multistakeholder engagement, UN expertise, and COP-to-COP momentum  

The two- and a half-day agenda covered a lot of ground including an update from the Task Force on milestones and achievements, followed by discussions on building the 2026-2027 workplan.  

Under the vision of the Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers, a flagship programme of the FAST Partnership, one session explored how to bridge collaboration between farmers, multilateral development banks, and public development banks, outlining concrete pathways to align international public finance with the needs of agrifood systems and smallholders. 

Brazil, in its role as FAST Partnership Co-Chair, presented RAIZ, Resilient Agriculture Investment for Net-Zero Land Degradation, an effort led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA) as part of the COP30 Action Agenda. RAIZ will be implemented through the FAST Partnership, in collaboration with key partners, further solidifying FAST’s role as a consistent COP-to-COP mechanism for advancing resilient agrifood systems.  RAIZ focuses on restoring degraded agricultural lands to achieve multiple co-benefits, including reducing emissions, strengthening food security, preventing deforestation and conserving biodiversity. With its Task Force hosted in FAO, the FAST Partnership leverages the technical expertise and knowledge of the UN, acting as a gateway to fast-track access to technical resources, funding opportunities, and policy support necessary for accelerating the transformation of agrifood systems.  

During the meeting, a series of innovative finance labs on forest finance, policy optimization, nutrition, livestock, and carbon markets were organized in collaboration with FAO technical experts. In addition, FAST Members had the opportunity to network and engage with GEF Food Systems Integrated Programme (FSIP) Members who held their first global meeting in FAO headquarters in parallel with the FAST Members Meeting.  

Three steps for implementation currently advancing under the FAST Partnership  

1. The multi-country proposal for joint access to climate finance 
   FAST Members participated in the third session of a three-part consultation series to identify common climate priorities in the agrifood sector that need funding. The objective of this series is to develop a shared Theory of Change (ToC), goal statement and realistic roadmap that can serve as the foundation for joint, multi-country proposals to access climate funding as a group. “The exercises were exciting because national and regional proposals are something we’re familiar with,” said Lany Rebagay, Deputy Secretary General of the Asian Farmers’ Association (AFA). “But working on a global proposal that captures common needs across the globe is more challenging, and that’s what makes it so valuable. It forces us to think differently, beyond our borders.” Read more
   
   
2. The common narrative 
   The FAST Partnership is developing a common narrative to highlight the vital but underfunded role of agrifood systems in climate action ahead of COP30. This unified message emphasizes the vulnerability of agrifood systems to climate risks and the need to increase the quantity and quality of climate finance, especially for farmers and small-scale producers. By combining diverse member perspectives, the narrative aims to strengthen advocacy, influence global policies, improve access to climate finance, and drive systemic change toward sustainable, climate-resilient agrifood systems. Ultimately, it positions the FAST Partnership as a key leader in mobilizing climate finance and aligning global efforts for sustainable development. 
   
   
3. Targeted capacity building activities  
   In 2026, the FAST Partnership will focus on developing targeted capacity building activities that support and facilitate access to finance. These activities will include peer-to-peer learning, webinars and knowledge products, with a focus on innovative financial mechanisms to support adaptation efforts and underfunded value chains, keeping a farmer-centric approach. The Partnership will draw on the knowledge and experience of its Members and key partners, while also tapping into the technical expertise of FAO.  

Ultimately, the true strength of the FAST Partnership lies in its multistakeholder approach, uniting a diverse range of partners to drive inclusive dialogue and ensure that all voices are heard in shaping effective, collective climate action. 

Get involved 

The FAST Partnership now counts 42 Members and 12 Observers. If your country or organization would like to join the FAST Partnership or pledge technical or financial support, please fill out the short membership form.