Connect with:
Monday / December 9. 2024

logo
mobile-logo
HomePosts Tagged "FAO"
Environment, Soil Health, Sustainability, World

Action plan compiles over 350 tools, guidelines and other resources on biodiversity developed by FAO that can be searched and filtered, including by targets of the Biodiversity Plan.

From bees to earthworms, from coral reefs to rain forests – biodiversity helps to ensure our food diversity and must be key to transforming our food production systems, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations underlined today. As it marked International Day for Biological Diversity, FAO launched its updated action plan for Mainstreaming Biodiversity Across Agricultural Sectors and prepared to embark on several new biodiversity-related initiatives.

“Biodiversity is the potential of food diversity in the future,” FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said in a video message for UN celebrations of the day. Qu said biodiversity: “is what we farm, catch, harvest and cultivate. It is what supports our food networks from pollinators to micro-organisms in our soils. It is what prospers livelihoods of farmers, forest managers and dwellers, fishers, livestock keepers and pastoralists across the world.”

The theme of this year’s International Day for Biodiversity is “Be Part of the Plan” – a rallying call to the public and diverse actors to support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, endorsed in December 2022, and also known as The Biodiversity Plan. FAO is an integral part of this plan, as agrifood systems are a powerful channel for readily available and scalable solutions to conserving, restoring and sustainably using biodiversity.

Mainstreaming biodiversity

By advocating for sustainable agricultural practices that safeguard biodiversity and enhance ecosystem resilience, FAO is helping to reduce a key driver of biodiversity loss and protecting vulnerable rural communities. By partnering with governments, civil society and the private sector, FAO is helping mainstream biodiversity across the food and agricultural sectors, across policies and programmes.

In concrete terms, this can mean anything from working to restore coastal mangrove forests which host a rich variety of fish species to supporting farming systems which help to preserve biodiversity for food and agriculture in a way that improves people’s nutrition and benefits the environment.

Action Plan launched

FAO this week launched its 2024–27 Action Plan for the Implementation of the FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity Across Agricultural Sectors. The plan supersedes an earlier 2021-2023 document. It has been further streamlined better to serve the strategy’s aims to reduce the negative impacts of agricultural practices on biodiversity, to promote sustainable agricultural practices and to conserve, enhance, preserve and restore biodiversity as a whole.

The action plan sets out a wide range of deliverables including support for countries in the implementation and monitoring of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (Biodiversity Plan).

The new FAO Action Plan fully aligns with the Biodiversity Plan and includes FAO’s Biodiversity Knowledge Hub, providing a ‘one-stop shop’ to facilitate access to knowledge on biodiversity for food and agriculture. It compiles over 350 tools, guidelines and other resources on biodiversity developed by FAO that can be searched and filtered, including by targets of the Biodiversity Plan.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, three project concepts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Palau, and Samoa became the first FAO-led submissions to be approved under the Global Environment Facility’s Global Biodiversity Framework Fund.

The new fund was launched in August 2023 and mobilizes investment for countries – especially Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries – to achieve the targets of the Biodiversity Plan. Once fully designed and implemented, the three projects will direct over $7.8 million and leverage $14.2 million in co-financing to achieve targets of the Biodiversity Plan. All three projects will support Indigenous Peoples to conserve and use sustainably biodiversity and strengthen their stewardship of natural resources.

Key facts and figures

As much as 95 percent of global food production depends on soil. Over one-third of soils are moderately to highly degraded

About 50,000 wild species globally are fished gathered, logged, or harvested for food, feed, materials, energy, medicines or other purposes

35 percent of crop production, depends on animal pollinators

Coral reefs provide vital habitat for 25 percent of the world’s known marine species

Around 8,800 livestock breeds are used for food and agriculture and 28% of local breeds are at risk of extinction

Action plan compiles over 350 tools, guidelines

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, World

Various esteemed dignitaries from renowned international organisations delivered keynote address highlighting India’s achievements in the global campaign of the superfood at the event.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) organised closing ceremony of the International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 on 29 March 2024 at the FAO headquarters, Rome, Italy. The high-level hybrid event that allowed participants to join both in-person and virtually and was graced by esteemed dignitaries from various parts of the world, including Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Maninder Kaur Dwivedi from Govt. of India.

Additional Secretary, Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, from Govt. of India, underscored the significance of India’s thriving Millet ecosystem comprising various Start-Ups, Industries, FPOs, in increasing promotion and adoption of millets.

Director-General, FAO, Dr QU Dongyu in his opening remarks at the official closing ceremony, commended the international community for their commitment to advancing millet-related initiatives and emphasized the crucial role of millets in achieving food security and nutrition for all.

Minister and Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to FAO Yaya Adisa Olaitan Olaniran shed light on the significance of millets and outlined strategies for integrating millet cultivation into sustainable agricultural practices in Nigeria.

Further in the ceremony, attendees were treated to a captivating video showcasing the diverse range of activities and events organised under the International Year of Millets 2023 across different regions, fostering the global reach and impact of the initiative.

The ceremony came to a close with the concluding remarks of Deputy Director-General FAO Beth Bechdol expressing gratitude to all participants for their unwavering commitment and dedication to the success of the International Year of Millets 2023 and highlighting the importance of sustaining momentum in promoting millets beyond the designated year.

Following a proposal by India, backed by more than 70 countries, the United Nations General Assembly, at its 75th session in March 2021, declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets. The year-long celebration successfully raised awareness about the nutritional and health benefits of millet consumption, the suitability of millets for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions, and the benefits of creating sustainable market opportunities for producers and consumers. The closing ceremony served as a forum to take stock of the accomplishments of, and lessons learned from, IYM 2023 and identify priorities for future investments, particularly to address identified constraints and strengthen millets value chains.

The event showcased a series of insightful discussions and presentations underscoring the importance of millets in achieving sustainable development goals and its emergence as ‘Global Superfood’. Director, ICAR-IIMR Dr C Tara Satyavathi shared insights into India’s R&D endeavours to develop a robust Millets value chain at a Roundtable Discussion on ‘Research and Development for the Millets Sector,’ a significant side event convened as part of #IYMClosingCeremony,

 A special exhibition featuring showcase of millet-value added products from across the world and a live cooking were also organised.

Various esteemed dignitaries from renowned international organisations

Nature, Soil Health, Sustainability, World

The funds will enable FAO to upscale national and regional capacity building in soil assessment and sustainable soil management worldwide

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) welcomed an additional $3 million contribution from PhosAgro, Russia’s leading phosphate-based fertiliser producer, to support the efforts of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) to help more farmers implement soil-improving management measures and boost the capacities of national soil laboratories in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Near East.

With this top-up, FAO plans to distribute an additional 1 200 Soil Doctor’s Testing Kits – special kits for assessing soil condition – to certified Soil Doctors and trainers. Around 5,000 farmers will then be trained and supported to adopt sustainable soil management practices by 2026.

The three-year project also envisages promoting reliable and accurate soil and fertilizer testing through the Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) and the consolidation of the International Network on Soil Fertility and Fertilisers (INSOILFER), promoting efficient and environmentally friendly practices consistent with the International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use of Management of Fertilizers. Another major activity under the project is the application of ecosystem-based solutions to remediate on-farm soil pollution through the International Network on Soil Pollution (INSOP).

For the first time, PhosAgro funding will also support the implementation of measures for the recarbonisation of agricultural soils (RECSOIL). This initiative will allow farmers to boost productivity, enhance resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

The contribution agreement was recently signed by Maria Helena Semedo, FAO Deputy Director-General, and Alexander Sharabaika, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of PhosAgro.

The funds will enable FAO to upscale

Acquaculture, Live Stock, World

COFI Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management is also set to discuss improvements in the methodology to assess the state and health of the world’s marine fisheries stocks

A new global fisheries management body began its inaugural meeting with key items on the agenda including best practices and approaches for the effective management of fisheries resources, and improvements in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) methodology to estimate the state and health of the world’s marine fish stocks.

The fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, the promotion of adaptive responses to the climate crisis, and the mainstreaming of biodiversity will also be on the agenda of the COFI Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management’s 15-18 January 2024 meeting, with a specific focus on small-scale fisheries.

Over 500 million people globally depend, at least partially, on fisheries for their livelihoods – nearly half of them women when considering the whole value chain. While 65 per cent of fish stocks were within biologically sustainable levels, 35 per cent were estimated to be at unsustainable levels – a proportion that has been increasing since the 1970s.

The COFI Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management’s main functions are to provide technical and policy guidance on fisheries management, identify global challenges and opportunities, and promote collective solutions to ensure the environmental, economic and social sustainability of a sector crucial for global food security and nutrition.

“Improving global fisheries management remains crucial to restore ecosystems to a healthy and productive state and to protect the long-term supply of aquatic foods,” said QU Dongyu FAO Director-General in his address to the opening of the meeting’s virtual plenary session. “This improvement also includes eliminating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and on addressing the impacts of the climate crisis, and biodiversity degradation that are also heavily impacting aquatic and coastal ecosystems and dependent communities”.

The Director-General noted that the Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management will guide FAO’s Blue Transformation roadmap and its core objective of ensuring that global fisheries resources – including lakes, rivers and seas – are efficiently and effectively managed.

COFI Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management is also

Agribiotechnology, Industry Reports / Analysis, World

It highlights successful applications of biotechnologies in diverse sectors, including crops, livestock, fisheries, forestry, and agro-industry, and a wide range of species.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has released a compilation of case studies showcasing the impactful use of agricultural biotechnologies to meet the needs of smallholders in developing countries, marking a significant step forward in the global efforts to achieve a sustainable agriculture and food systems.

Agricultural biotechnologies, ranging from low-tech tools like artificial insemination and tissue culture to high-tech methods such as whole genome sequencing, have emerged as a crucial part of the toolbox for transforming food systems. Recognising their potential, FAO has been actively promoting knowledge sharing and innovation in agriculture through the application of biotechnologies.

The report covers 15 case studies that highlight successful applications of biotechnologies in diverse sectors, including crops, livestock, fisheries, forestry, and agro-industry, and a wide range of species, world regions and production systems, emphasising that biotechnology extends beyond genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and is applicable to smallholders in developing countries. Collecting experiences worldwide, the case studies demonstrate how biotechnologies contribute to increased productivity, improved livelihoods, disease management, and the conservation of genetic resources essential for sustainable smallholder production systems.

One of the key messages emerging overall from the report, is the need for farmers to increase their yields while equally facing the current and future challenges of climate change. Which are the ingredients for success?

The report identifies four:

Partnerships

Long-term commitment

Government support

Good communication

FAO also anticipated that these case studies, presented in the context of a rapidly evolving field, will serve as a source of inspiration and guidance for those seeking to harness biotechnologies for the benefit of smallholder farmers.

It highlights successful applications of biotechnologies in

Industry Reports / Analysis, Sustainability, World

The benchmark measure of world food commodity prices ends 2023 about 10 per cent below its year-earlier level

The benchmark for world food commodity prices declined in December compared to the previous month, with the sharpest drop in international sugar quotations, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported.
The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a set of globally traded food commodities, averaged 118.5 points in December, down 1.5 per cent from November and down 10.1 per cent from December 2022.
For 2023 as a whole, the index was 13.7 per cent lower than the average value over the preceding year, with only the international sugar price index higher over the period.
The FAO Cereal Price Index increased 1.5 per cent from November, as wheat, maize, rice, and barley prices all rose, partly reflecting logistical disruptions that hindered shipments from major exporting countries. For the year as a whole, the index was 15.4 per cent below the 2022 average, reflecting well-supplied global markets, although FAO’s All Rice Price Index (part of the FAO Cereal Price Index) registered a 21 per cent increase, largely owing to concerns about the impact of El Niño on rice production and in the aftermath of export restrictions imposed by India.
The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index by contrast, declined by 1.4 per cent from November, reflecting subdued purchases of palm, soy, rapeseed, and sunflower seed oil, with soy oil in particular impacted by a slowdown in demand from the biodiesel sector as well as improving weather conditions in major growing areas of Brazil. For 2023 as a whole, this index was 32.7 per cent below the previous year’s level.
The FAO Sugar Price Index declined 16.6 per cent from November, hitting a nine-month low although still up 14. 9 per cent from December 2022. The plunge in sugar quotations was mainly driven by the strong pace of production in Brazil, along with the reduced use of sugarcane for ethanol production in India.
The FAO Meat Price Index dipped 1.0 per cent from November, reaching a level 1.8 per cent below that of December 2022, impacted by persistent weak import demand from Asia for pig meat. Regional buying interest also slowed for bovine and poultry meat despite ample exportable supplies in large producing regions. Ovine meat prices by contrast rose ahead of holidays.
Bucking the trend, the FAO Dairy Price Index increased by 1.6 per cent from November, although still standing 16.1 per cent below its December 2022 value. The monthly increase was led by higher price quotations for butter and cheese, underpinned by strong internal sales in Western Europe ahead of the holiday season. At the same time, strong global import demand led international whole milk powders to rise.

The benchmark measure of world food commodity

Acquaculture, Live Stock, World

From 2024 to 2028, the EAF-Nansen Programme will intensify efforts to improve food and nutrition security in partner countries

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the government of Norway announced a new five-year phase of the EAF-Nansen Programme at the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

The Programme is a partnership between FAO, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) in Norway, regional fisheries organizations and 32 partner countries in Africa and the Bay of Bengal, dating back to 1975.

Norway will fund a budget of 1 billion NOK ($94 million) for the new period.

From 2024 to 2028, the EAF-Nansen Programme will intensify efforts to improve food and nutrition security in partner countries, placing a stronger focus on strengthening fisheries management in response to the impacts of climate change.

“A large number of the global population live by and off the ocean. For people to continue to do so, we need to manage the marine environment and life sustainably. The Nansen Programme plays a key role in collecting and sharing ocean knowledge. This effort is crucial in fighting climate change and ensuring food security also for future generations,” said Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, the Norwegian Minister of International Development.

“This unique Programme generates essential data, research and science needed for countries to make informed decisions that support sustainable fisheries management. FAO welcomes the announcement for this new phrase to build a sustainable and resilient future for our oceans, working together to promote responsible fishing practices, combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and address the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems,” said Maria Helena Semedo, FAO Deputy Director-General.

From 2024 to 2028, the EAF-Nansen Programme

Vegetables, World

Observance helps highlight the potato’s importance for global agriculture, economic development, food security and nutrition

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) welcomed the UN’s decision to designate 30 May as International Day of Potato, an opportunity to raise awareness of a crop regularly consumed by billions of people and global importance for food security and nutrition.

The annual observance was championed by Peru, which submitted a proposal for adoption to the UN General Assembly based on an FAO Conference Resolution of July 7, 2023. The impetus for the Day, which builds upon the International Year of Potato that was observed in 2008, originates from the need to emphasise the significant role of the potato in tackling prevalent global issues, such as food insecurity, poverty and environmental threats.

“This International Day will shed light on the significant value of the potato – nutritional, economic, environmental and cultural.  It will also highlight the contribution of the potato to global food security, poverty reduction and the livelihoods of millions while emphasising the key role of Indigenous Peoples knowledge and practices,” said FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol.

The Day “will allow us to draw attention to the importance of this ancestral crop in sustaining efforts to reduce hunger, malnutrition and poverty; as well as to encourage agricultural development, food security, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functions,” Víctor García Toma, Permanent Representative of Peru to the United Nations told the General Assembly.

Observance helps highlight the potato’s importance for

Live Stock, Sustainability, World

To recognise and celebrate the vital contributions these animals make to livelihoods, food security, and nutrition

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) officially launched the International Year of Camelids 2024 at its Rome headquarters, to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions these animals make to livelihoods, food security and nutrition.

Camelids, including Bactrian camels, dromedary camels, and wild camels, as well as South American camelids such as domesticated llamas and alpacas, and wild vicuñas and guanacos, play a pivotal role in diverse ecosystems. They are particularly important in desert and mountain regions, where they form an integral part of the livelihoods and traditional practices of indigenous communities.

At the launch event, QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General underscored the cultural and environmental importance of camelids.

“Even in the most extreme climatic conditions, they produce milk, meat, fibre and organic fertiliser, and provide transport, boosting food security, nutrition, and livelihoods while helping to conserve fragile ecosystems. Camelids also build resilience to the impacts of the climate crisis – particularly in mountains and drylands and can contribute to the transformation of agrifood systems,” he said.

“The International Year of Camelids is a great opportunity to highlight and value the economic, social and cultural importance of camelids around the globe – especially highly vulnerable communities.”

Camelids, vital for millions of households in over 90 countries, originated in America 45 million years ago. Serving as working animals, they support Indigenous Peoples and local communities in South America’s Andean highlands, as well as the deserts of Africa and Asia. Bactrian camels and dromedaries, for example, known as “ships of the desert,” are crucial for nomadic life in drylands.

The Year seeks to raise global awareness of the multifaceted role of camelids not only as sources of fibre, milk, and meat but also as resilient and sustainable contributors to local economies. In challenging environments, camelids are indispensable for their ability to endure harsh conditions and provide crucial support to communities.

To recognise and celebrate the vital contributions

Collaborations, Sustainability, World

The two organisations will specifically collaborate on helping countries meet the ambitious targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding that recognises the critical role of investment in rural infrastructure, nature resources management and climate resilience in transforming agrifood systems. The two organisations will specifically collaborate on helping countries meet the ambitious targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

AIIB and FAO will explore collaboration opportunities in infrastructure investments that improve water resource management, agriculture and irrigation productivity, logistics and climate change adaptation and resilience. The two organisations will focus on digital solutions and innovations that increase efficiency productivity and preparedness. Special attention will be given to addressing the social development needs of vulnerable groups and gender issues.

“AIIB and FAO are united by our vision of realising human prosperity through sustainable development,” said Jin Liqun, AIIB President and Chair of the Board of Directors. “This partnership represents our commitment to working together to finance sustainable Infrastructure for Tomorrow. By partnering with the FAO, together we help to ensure efficient and effective use of resources and expertise across the development sector.”

The two organisations will specifically collaborate on

Nature, Sustainability, World

New FAO GIAHS designations include ones in China, Iran and the Republic of Korea

A pasture system in Andorra, hay milk in Austria, areas growing chestnuts, white ginger and waxberries in China, flood-spreading gardens a walnut cultivating region in Iran and an all-female fishery in the Republic of Korea have become the latest additions to Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).

The systems, formally designated during a meeting of the GIAHS Scientific Advisory Group taking place in Rome from November 7 to 10 included the first ones to be approved from Andorra and Austria. Meanwhile, additional sites in China, Iran and the Republic of Korea again highlight the key role played by Asia’s traditional agricultural practices in food security and combating climate change and biodiversity loss.

Under the flagship programme of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the selection criteria stipulate that sites must be of global importance, have value as a public good, support food and livelihood security, agro-biodiversity, sustainable knowledge systems and practices, social values and culture as well as outstanding landscapes. “Now over 20 years strong, GIAHS has proven to be a great model for showcasing longstanding practices to render agrifood systems more resilient to climate change,” said Maria Helena Semedo FAO Deputy Director-General.

With the newest addition to the global agricultural heritage systems list, FAO’s worldwide agricultural heritage network now consists of 86 systems in 26 countries around the globe. 

New FAO GIAHS designations include ones in

Foodgrains, India

Global trade in cereals in 2023-24 is forecast at 469 million tonnes, a 1.6 per cent contraction from the preceding year

Global cereal production this year is forecast to reach a record 2.81 billion tonnes, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations’ latest Cereal Supply and Demand Brief released on Nov. 3.

Of note was higher projected coarse grain production in China and most of West Africa and lower forecasts for the United States and the European Union. Wheat output forecasts were raised for Iraq and the United States and revised downward for the European Union and Kazakhstan. World rice production in 2023-24 is forecast to increase marginally year-on-year. The new revisions include an upgrade to India’s production, more than offsetting various other revisions, particularly a further downgrade of Indonesian production prospects.

World cereal utilisation in 2023-24 is forecast to reach 2.810 million tonnes, with the total utilisation of both wheat and coarse grains set to surpass 2022-23 levels while rice utilisation is expected to stagnate at the previous season’s level.

The world cereals stocks-to-use ratio for 2023-24 is forecast to stand at 30.7 per cent, “a comfortable supply situation from a historical perspective” and marginally above the previous year’s level of 30.5 per cent, according to the FAO.

Global trade in cereals in 2023-24 is forecast at 469 million tonnes, a 1.6 per cent contraction from the preceding year.

The FAO also noted in a separate report that persisting and intensifying conflicts are aggravating food insecurity, and moderating international food commodity prices are being countered by weak currencies in many low-income countries. A total of 46 countries around the world, including 33 in Africa, are assessed to need external assistance for food, according to the latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation report, a triannual publication by FAO’s Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS).

Global trade in cereals in 2023-24 is

AgroPolicy, Sustainability, World

The 154-country study makes a case for true cost accounting to guide policy

Our current agrifood systems impose huge hidden costs on our health, the environment and society, equivalent to at least $10 trillion a year, according to a ground-breaking analysis by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), covering 154 countries. This represents almost 10 per cent of global GDP.

According to the 2023 edition of The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA), the biggest hidden costs (more than 70 per cent) are driven by unhealthy diets, high in ultra-processed foods, fats and sugars, leading to obesity and non-communicable diseases, and causing labour productivity losses. Such losses are particularly high in high- and upper-middle-income countries.

One-fifth of the total costs are environment-related, from greenhouse gas and nitrogen emissions, land-use change and water use. This is a problem that affects all countries, and the scale is probably underestimated due to data limitations.

Low-income countries are proportionately the hardest hit by hidden costs of agrifood systems, which represent more than a quarter of their GDP, as opposed to less than 12 per cent in middle-income countries and less than 8 per cent in high-income countries. In low-income countries, hidden costs associated with poverty and undernourishment are the most significant.

The report makes the case for more regular and detailed analysis by governments and the private sector of the hidden or ‘true’ costs of agrifood systems via true cost accounting, followed by actions to mitigate these harms.

There have been other attempts at measuring the hidden costs of agrifood systems, producing similar estimates as FAO. The new FAO report, however, is the first to disaggregate these costs down to the national level and ensure they are comparable across cost categories and between countries.

For the first time, FAO will dedicate two consecutive editions of The State of Food and Agriculture to the same theme. This year’s report presents initial estimates, while next year’s will focus on in-depth targeted assessments to identify the best ways to mitigate them. Governments can pull different levers to adjust agrifood systems and drive better outcomes overall. Taxes, subsidies, legislation and regulation are among them.

The report urges governments to use true cost accounting to transform agri-food systems to address the climate crisis, poverty, inequality and food security. It notes that innovations in research and data, as well as investments in data collection and capacity building, will be needed to scale the application of true cost accounting, so it can inform decision-making transparently and consistently.

The 154-country study makes a case for

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Live Stock

Conclave to develop global guidelines for climate-resilient marine fisheries management 

Leading marine scientists, policymakers and high-ranking government officials from 16 regional fisheries bodies in the Indo-Pacific region covering 80 countries will gather in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu to discuss climate change in marine fisheries. The Three-day International Conclave on Mainstreaming Climate Change into International Fisheries Governance will be inaugurated by the Union Minister of Fisheries Parshottam Rupala on Tuesday at Welccomehotel, Kences Palm Beach, Mahabalipuram. 

Organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Govt. of India, and the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), the conclave seeks to develop guidelines for climate-resilient fisheries management and formulate strategies for the integration of climate change into international fisheries governance.

Dr L Murugan, Union Minister of State will deliver a special address and Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Union Secretary, Department of Fisheries will deliver the keynote address. India’s developmental, research and policy initiatives for climate-resilient marine fisheries will be presented during the inauguration of the conclave.  
The conclave will also feature a workshop exclusively to discuss India’s preparedness for adapting to climate change in marine fisheries. This workshop will encompass discussions on the current status of climate change impacts on marine fisheries in India, steps taken to address these impacts, gaps and limitations in knowledge and techniques, and actions needed in the short and long term. In addition, it will also feature presentations on cutting-edge research advancements in building climate resilience in the fisheries sector, preparedness of coastal communities, and knowledge sharing and capacity development for climate-proofing marine fisheries in the BOB region. 

“The Indo-Pacific Region comprises nearly half of the global oceanic area and accounts for about 70 per cent of global marine fisheries production. Fisheries in this region are small-scale in nature. This international conclave will help fishery experts in this region to develop strategies to address the challenges posed by climate change and build more resilient marine fisheries”, said Dr P Krishnan, Director, BOBP-IGO. 

 “The Indo-Pacific region is highly vulnerable to climate change, leading to adverse impacts on marine fisheries. These effects range from the increased frequency of extreme weather events to the threats of flooding, erosion, and sea-level rise. By fostering and executing strategies to adapt to climate change, this region can effectively safeguard the sustainable management of marine fisheries and the livelihoods of the millions of individuals who depend on them, Dr Krishnan said. 

Conclave to develop global guidelines for climate-resilient