KENYA TO CHAMPION ACTION ON CLIMATE-RESILIENT AGRICULTURE FOR FOOD SECURITY IN COMMONWEALTH

Kenya will champion the Commonwealth living lands action group on climate-resilient agriculture for food security.  This is a  commitment   to lead coordinated efforts across the fifty six  Commonwealth member countries.  The announcement comes after a Commonwealth event held in Dubai on December 2023 during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28).

During the event, the Commonwealth secretariat launched a new implementation framework to facilitate coordinated action among the  fifty six  Commonwealth countries on land, biodiversity and climate challenges, directly impacting a quarter of the world’s land area.

The launch comes after extensive consultations with Commonwealth countries since the adoption of the Living Lands Charter last year (2022). Speakers, including Prime Minister Robert Abela of Malta and Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), expressed their support for the framework during the event.

An urgent priority

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Abela said: “The world is experiencing a planetary crisis; addressing climate change, protecting biodiversity and nurturing ecological restoration of our land has become an urgent priority for all Commonwealth members.” He added : “We are here to renew our commitment to work together towards the same through the Living Lands Charter. We hope that our experience inspires Commonwealth countries facing similar tough challenges.”

On her part, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland KC, noted that the Commonwealth is home to many species. “Our Commonwealth encompasses a quarter of the world’s land area and is home to a third of the world’s mega-biodiverse countries. More than  four hundred  endemic species are found in our small island states,” she said.

 She emphasized  that  the   impact of climate change is increasingly severe various countries. Against  that background,  food insecurity is increasing  and  soli  is depleting. The sheer scale of these challenges compels us to lead with bold action.

She further added: “With this implementation framework, we are taking a giant leap forward. It will leverage the combined strength of the Commonwealth through thematic action working groups – learning from each other and spurring one another on towards systems change and a better future for all.”

The framework takes a system-wide approach towards implementing of the Living Lands Charter through five thematic action areas: First, climate-resilient agriculture for food security. Secondly, soil and water conservation. The next area is sustainable green cover and biodiversity. Carbon neutral and climate-resilient livestock rearing and animal husbandry is the fourth area. Lastly is working with indigenous and local people for climate-resilient development.

Champion countries

 Various  countries have stepped forward to lead on priority areas of action.  Kenya will lead action on climate-resilient agriculture for food security. Guyana will champion action on sustainable green cover and biodiversity, while Malta will spearhead the conservation of soil and water.

Within each thematic area, the Commonwealth will offer extensive support to countries to achieve their commitments. This support entails mobilizing resources for implementation, conducting analysis for policymaking, facilitating institutional governance, offering capacity-building assistance and generating knowledge for member countries. The implementation framework has been developed in response to a mandate from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) conducted in June 2022.

The Secretariat for the three Rio Conventions welcomed the framework and expressed confidence in its ability to help countries achieve targets set out in the Paris Agreement, the Global Biodiversity Framework and the UNCCD Strategic Plan for Land Degradation Neutrality.

The framework’s launch coincides with the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action.