FAO headquarters is hosting an action-packed programme  this week including the first global meeting of theGEF Food System Integrated Programme (FSIP) , the FAST Partnership Members meeting and the UNFCCC Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) Forum.

The meetings will bring together over 250 participants from more than 90 countries, representing over 170 governments, civil society, the United Nations, and other intergovernmental organizations.

At 17:30 on Monday 8 September, the FAO Director General will kick off proceedings at a High-Level Ministerial event to officially launch the FSIP first global meeting in the Sheikh Zayed Centre. This will be followed by a tour of the digital exhibit “Climate finance: delivering climate solutions through agrifood systems” in the FAO Atrium (webcast link). Everyone is welcome!

Since its establishment in 2011, this is the first time the SCF has chosen agrifood systems as the central theme of its annual Forum, and it comes at a critical moment for agrifood systems. Kaveh Zahedi, OCB Director, says the decision to host the SCF meeting at FAO headquarters is clear recognition by countries of both the urgency and the opportunity of using climate finance as a vital trigger for the transformation of agrifood systems. “Despite absorbing a quarter of climate-related losses and holding the potential to cut about one-third of global emissions, agrifood systems currently get less than 8% of global climate finance. This is a missed opportunity given that agrifood systems solutions can simultaneously help tackle climate change, address biodiversity loss and achieve the SDGs, ensuring better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life.” 

Key meetings at HQ this week

-         Three mandated UNFCCC meetings including the Standing Committee on Finance Forum (8-9 September), the 38^th meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance (10-11 September), and the Second workshop in 2025 under the Sharm el-Sheikh Dialogue (6-7 September) about aligning finance flows with the Paris Agreement (registered participants only). Click on the links to watch the webcasts and/or recordings.

-         GEF Food System Integrated Programme (FSIP) first global meeting (10-12 September)
This landmark gathering will bring together representatives from around 25 countries, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), partner and implementing agencies, the private sector, youth, and Indigenous Peoples. The multi-partner initiative, co-led by FAO and IFAD with GEF support, channels over $282 million in financing to drive food systems transformation “from farm to table.” Over three days, participants will exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and explore innovative solutions to scale sustainable, regenerative, nature-positive, resilient, inclusive and pollution-free food systems.

-         FAST Partnership Members meeting (10-12 September)
Members of the Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation Partnership, an initiative working with COP Presidencies since COP27 on financing for agrifood systems, will also meet this week. They will look at concrete actions to help match climate finance and investment opportunities with country needs. FAO staff are welcome to join the meetings including a series of innovative finance labs on Friday 12 September about forest finance, repurposing subsidies and carbon markets. Link to join online

Looking ahead

These meetings take place at a pivotal time, as the international community is working towards the implementation of the new collective quantified goal on climate finance agreed by countries at COP29. This goal aims to significantly scale up climate finance from a wide range of sources, in the context of meaningful mitigation and adaptation actions and transparency of implementation, taking into account the needs and priorities of developing countries. 

“What we discuss here will help build momentum toward COP30, among climate finance stakeholders with agrifood solutions as a vital backdrop.  Our clear message is that without sustainable and resilient agrifood systems, we cannot achieve the ambition of the Paris Agreement,” says Kaveh Zahedi.

Digital exhibit and side events

The exhibit “Climate finance: delivering climate solutions through agrifood systems”, developed by OCB, is an immersive digital installation that highlights the vital role of climate finance in transforming agrifood systems. Through six compelling stories and animated infographics, it showcases how climate finance is making a difference for communities around the world in a visually engaging and interactive space.

The exhibit will run from 8–16 September in the FAO Atrium. All staff are welcome to visit!

In addition, two side events will be held on the sidelines of the SCF. These are open to all FAO staff:

1.      On 9 September from 12.30–13.45 in the Iran Room, the FAST Partnership is collaborating with the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) for an expert discussion on “Scaling up what works: Making finance flow to forest and farm producer organizations (FFPOs).”

2.      On 9 September from 17:30 in the Sheikh Zayed Centre, learn more about the objectives of the COP30 RAIZ Initiative “Resilient Agriculture Investment for net-Zero land degradation.” All are welcome!
Webcast link