Investing in the planet and its people: Synergizing initiatives for accelerated climate action at the 29th Conference of the Parties

As the world looks ahead to the 29th session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 22 November 2024, the call for transformative solutions in agrifood systems is stronger than ever. In this pivotal moment for climate action, two major initiatives are set to play crucial roles: the FAST Partnership (Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation) and The Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers. Together, they highlight the synergies and urgent need for scaling up climate finance, innovation, and collaboration in addressing food security and climate resilience globally and are subjects of high interest in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. 

FAST Partnership: Accelerating finance and collaboration for agrifood transformation 

Launched at COP27, the FAST Partnership serves as a global platform to accelerate investment and collaboration in agrifood systems. It aims to ensure that climate finance is better directed towards enhancing the resilience and sustainability of these systems, particularly in vulnerable regions like NENA, where climate change is already exacerbating water scarcity, land degradation, and food insecurity. 

In the NENA region, agrifood systems are a lifeline for millions of people, but they are under immense pressure. The region is one of the most arid in the world, and climate change has intensified the challenges faced by farmers, rural communities, and ecosystems. Less than 20 percent of climate-related development finance reaches agrifood systems globally, making FAST’s role in bridging this gap critical for countries in the region. Through the Partnership, FAST fosters cooperation between governments, development banks, civil society, and farmers’ organizations, promoting collaboration to unlock the necessary financial resources and technical support. 

The Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers: Empowering farmers and rural communities at COP29 

The Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers, introduced by the COP29 Presidency and supported by FAO, takes this a step further by focusing directly on empowering farmers, villages, and rural communities. Set to officially launch on 19 November 2024 at COP29, Harmoniya aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and identify practical solutions for agrifood system transformation. It will serve as a hub for countries and communities to share experiences, pinpoint synergies, and accelerate on-the-ground climate action. 

For the NENA region, the Harmoniya Initiative represents a key opportunity to bring farmers and rural communities into the heart of climate negotiations. With 95 percent of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) from countries in the region incorporating agriculture, the initiative will help ensure that the voices of these communities are heard and that they have direct access to investments, resources, and technologies to build resilience. 

Connecting the FAST Partnership and Harmoniya: Synergies for the NENA region 

The FAST Partnership and the Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers share a common goal of accelerating climate action in agrifood systems, making them highly complementary, especially in the context of the NENA region’s challenges. Both initiatives focus on directing climate finance to where it is most needed—rural communities and farmers who are on the front lines of climate change but often overlooked in global funding allocations. 

For example, FAST’s emphasis on scaling up investments from multilateral development banks can be aligned with Harmoniya’s on-the-ground farmer-centric solutions, ensuring that finance reaches those who are directly involved in building resilience, especially in drought-prone areas. This holistic approach not only promotes sustainability but also accelerates the transition towards greener, more resilient agriculture across the region. 

By connecting FAST’s global finance and policy efforts with Harmoniya’s grassroots focus on empowering farmers, these initiatives create synergies that can drive real transformation in the region’s agrifood systems. The goals of these initiatives are particularly relevant to FAO’s regional priority of Greening Agriculture, Water Scarcity and Climate Action, which emphasizes sustainable farming practices, water management, and ecosystem restoration. 

A roadmap for the future: What to expect at COP29 

At COP29, both the FAST Partnership and the Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers will take centre stage, with a thematic day focused on food, agriculture and water.

This day will emphasize the importance of harmonizing climate finance and policy with the on-the-ground needs of farmers and rural communities, offering the NENA region a crucial opportunity to address challenges like drought and land degradation. These discussions will highlight how restoration efforts, though vital, are hampered by a significant gap in climate financing—an issue underscored by the three Rio Conventions (UNCCD, CBD, UNFCCC), as noted in FAO’s recent white paper on the subject, Reimagining sustainable returns on investment for planet and people outcomes – the business case for an integrated approach to ecosystem restoration and development solutions. 

Moreover, practical examples from the NENA region can be showcased at COP29, such as Farmer Field Schools (FFS) and the Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS), which empower farmers—especially women—to lead in drought resilience, soil conservation, and sustainable land management. These community-driven approaches are critical, as they demonstrate how traditional knowledge and modern innovations can be combined to protect natural resources and improve food security. These examples will highlight that, while the challenges are immense, solutions are already being implemented at the grassroots level, showing a clear path forward. 

In connecting these initiatives to broader global efforts, the discussions at COP29 will also serve as a precursor to the upcoming COP16 on Desertification in Riyadh. The alignment of these global conferences presents an unprecedented opportunity to address the poly-crisis of land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change. By reinforcing the synergies between the three Rio Conventions and showcasing successful regional examples, COP29 can help build momentum toward sustainable, integrated solutions. 

A regional investment framework for lasting resilience 

The MENA Regional Land Restoration Pledge and Investment Framework, a new FAO initiative, marks a critical step towards building resilience in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions. Aligned with FAO’s strategy and the goals of COP29, this framework mobilizes climate finance for large-scale ecosystem restoration, particularly in drought-prone areas. By fostering innovative public-private partnerships and integrating sustainable land management into national development plans, it bridges the financing gap highlighted by the Rio Conventions, channelling investments to farmers and rural communities most impacted by climate change. 

In a region facing severe desertification and biodiversity loss, this framework promotes ecosystem resilience and supports economic growth. By leveraging private sector investments, it ensures that both environmental and economic benefits reach those who need them most. COP29 will showcase how initiatives like this framework, alongside global initiatives like the FAST Partnership and the Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers, offer a comprehensive approach to achieving sustainable agrifood systems and resilient ecosystems across the MENA region. 

Abdulhakim Elwaer

Abdulhakim Elwaer is Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.