In a significant development at the United Nations Climate Conference, COP28, in Dubai, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken made a groundbreaking announcement that the United States is joining the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, representing a pivotal commitment by over 130 countries to align efforts on agriculture and food systems with climate action.
Secretary Blinken emphasized the urgency of the global hunger crisis, revealing that around 700 million people are chronically undernourished, with half facing acute food insecurity.
He highlighted the worsening impact of climate change and extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, wildfires, and floods, exacerbating the food crisis.
To address these challenges, the United States is set to become a founding member of the Technical Cooperation Collaborative, dedicated to implementing the vision outlined in the Emirates Declaration.
Secretary Blinken stressed the critical need for coordinated efforts to reshape how food is produced, focusing on sustainability and climate resilience.
In his address, Secretary Blinken unveiled the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS), a collaborative initiative launched with the African Union and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
VACS aims to revolutionize food production by investing in healthy soils and identifying climate-resilient crops, ensuring sustainable productive capacity.
The Secretary announced that the United States is pledging an additional $50 million towards VACS, building on the $100 million commitment made in July.
He acknowledged key partners and corporations, including Bayer, Catholic Relief Services, ADM, Concern Worldwide, and the One Acre Fund, as inaugural VACS Champions.
Furthermore, Secretary Blinken outlined the U.S. commitment to scaling climate-smart agriculture through the President’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.
The expansion of initiatives like the Agriculture Innovation Missions for Climate, in collaboration with the UAE, was highlighted as a critical step toward driving innovation in global food systems.
As the international community faces various challenges, Secretary Blinken emphasized the paramount importance of addressing climate-driven hunger.
The COP28 meeting is anticipated to elevate global ambitions in tackling this urgent issue, with the United States expressing readiness to collaborate with all stakeholders.
