Transforming food systems and combating climate change: A virtual event post-COP26 and beyond

Thursday 18 November 2021

Following the COP26 summit (October 31 – November 12, 2021) to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) Secretariat hosted this virtual event to underscore the inextricable link between climate and food, building on the outcomes of both the UNFSS and COP26, and to look into next year’s COP27.

This event focused on galvanizing broad support and commitment to collaborate, including driving the policy/political support needed to foster linkages and action in support of both the food systems and climate agendas.

Invited speakers discussed the main outcomes of the COP26 and their implications to food systems transformation. The discussion identified policy and institutional entry points where the Climate Convention can support transformations for more sustainable food systems and vice-versa. The speakers also explored how to mainstream food systems issues into national UNFCCC instruments such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), building on its existing mechanisms and processes.

For more information on the UNFSS, visit here.

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Programme: 18 Nov

EST time zone

Moderator: Dr. David Nabarro, UNFSS Special Advisor

08:00 - 08:05 Welcome and Opening

08:05 - 08:10 Remarks by Dr. Agnes Kalibata, UNFSS Special Envoy

08:10 - 08:20 Key outcomes and highlights of COP26

• Nigel Topping, High-Level Climate Champion, COP26

08:20 - 09:00 Panel Discussion

• H.E. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, Arab Republic of Egypt
• Peter Bakker, President and CEO, World Business Council for Sustainable Development
• Helena Leurent, Director-General, Consumers International
• Cristelle Pratt, Assistant Secretary-General - Environment and Climate Action, Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States
• Mayor Tunç Soyer, Izmir Metropolitan Government, Turkey
• Nigel Topping, High-Level Climate Champion, COP26

09:00 - 09:10 Feedback from the audience

Digital Host: Dr. Plamen Russev, Chair, Webit.Foundation and Goodwill Ambassador for Digital Affairs, Bulgaria

09:10 - 09:25 Stakeholder feedback on COP26

• Dorit Adler, President, Israeli Forum for Sustainable Nutrition
• Carla Caballeros, Executive Director, Guatemala Chamber of Agriculture
• Marie-Claire Graf, Food Systems Champion Youth Vice-Chair and Global Focal Point, UNFCCC Youth Constituency (YOUNGO)
• Maria Cristina Tirado, Senior Policy Lead, WFP, UNFSS Action Track 5
• Pierre Thiam, Chef, Yolele Foods

09:25 - 09:30 Closing and final remarks