Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM) partners from around the globe are increasing their investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack recently said.
The announcement was made on Monday at the AIM Summit in Washington, D.C. Vilsack said the summit is an integral aspect to show the progress of AIM for Climate, as the world is yearning to battle climate change in many ways including through food and nutrition security.
“Climate change continues to impact longstanding agricultural practices in every country, and a strong global commitment is necessary to face the challenges of climate change head-on and build more sustainable, equitable and resilient food system,” Vilsack said. “We need all of us working together to address the challenges of climate change and food security through innovative technology and approaches, and the AIM for Climate Summit gives me hope that we will rise to the occasion, as future generations depend on us to do.”
The Summit was co-hosted by Vilsack, Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Climate Change and Environment Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri.
Minister Almheiri said that using sustainable technology and innovation to build global and national food security is a primary strategic pillar of the UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051, which seeks to benefit all with a sustainable future.
“Under the vision and guidance of its wise leadership, the UAE is committed to building a solid foundation for international cooperation to find solutions to various challenges facing global food and agricultural systems within a larger framework aimed at addressing climate change and mitigating its negative impacts on the future of humanity,” Almheiri said.
Not only food but water shortages are addressed as part of this commitment.
“The AIM for Climate Initiative, launched in collaboration between the UAE and the United States, embodies this important approach, reflecting our commitment to transforming global agricultural systems into more advanced and sustainable systems to confront the scarcity of water and arable land in many countries, and thereby contributing to the eradication of hunger in the world," she said.
The following are new investments, partners and resources aimed at propelling the initiative on climate change: There is an increased investment by partners in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation to more than $13 billion; 21 innovation sprints amounting to an additional $1.8 billion in increased investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation; more than 500 new government, innovation sprints and knowledge partners with new partners from Argentina, Fiji, Guatemala, India, Panama, Paraguay and Sri Lanka.
