STRENGTHENING FOOD RESILIENCY THROUGH INCREASING ACCESSIBILITY AND GENDER EQUALITY - KEY THEMES FOR UAE PAVILION PROGRAMS ON DAY 5 OF COP28

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*STRENGTHENING FOOD RESILIENCY THROUGH INCREASING ACCESSIBILITY AND GENDER EQUALITY - KEY THEMES FOR UAE PAVILION PROGRAMS ON DAY 5 OF COP28*

· *Women Alliance for Climate Action in Agriculture (WACAA) **launches to unite ** women leaders, scientists, policymakers, farmers and org**aniz**ations to **mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture*

· *Launch of the Food Innovation Hub in the UAE will seek to strengthen food systems by increasing accessibility to more affordable, more nutritious, and more sustainable foods *

· *Global Islamic Finance Program for Climate, Nature & Development emphasizes opportunities to catalyze blended finance to encourage sustainable investments in climate and nature initiatives across the Global South*
*Dubai, UAE – 5 December 2023:* Several new initiatives to transform food systems were announced at the UAE Pavilion at COP28 during day 5 of the global climate conference. Further, in line with the COP28 focus on Gender Day on 4 December, programs at the UAE Pavilion also emphasized the critical role of women in fostering climate smart agriculture worldwide.

Key launch events and dialogues at the UAE Pavilion at COP28 included:

· The UAE-based International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) announced the formation of the *Women Alliance for Climate Action in Agriculture (WACAA)*. Dr. Tarifa Al Zaabi, Director General of ICBA, and Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on women, particularly in agricultural communities, and stressed the need for inclusive policies in fostering climate-smart agriculture. The just-launched WACAA will unite women leaders, scientists, policymakers, farmers, researchers, and organizations to mitigate the impact of climate on agriculture and strengthen the resiliency of food systems, aiming to reach one million women worldwide by 2050.· Her Excellency Mariam Al Mheiri, the UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), announced the new *UAE Food Innovation Hub* to transform food systems and increase access to sustainable, nutritious and affordable resources. The project is a collaboration between MOCCAE, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), and the World Economy Forum (WEF) - and the UAE will be the sixth hub launched by WEF to bring together stakeholders under the farm-to-fork concept as part of the sustainable food supply chain.· The Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA), in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosted a timely discussion on *Addressing the Triple Nexus: Gender, Climate & Security in the Regional World*, exploring the interplay between climate and gender inequality in conflict prevention, resolution, and peacebuilding and the need for gender inclusion in National Adaptation Plans (NAP).· And, the *Global Islamic Finance Program (GIFP) for Climate, Nature & Development *and their advisory committee were featured in an engaging program at the UAE Pavilion at COP28. The GFIP is a joint collaboration between Emirates Nature - WWF, Ajman University and other stakeholders to catalyze blended finance to achieve bankable nature-based solutions across the Global South.
In parallel to the significant launches and thoughtful dialogues in the UAE Pavilion at COP28, the Actionists Hub, located in the Green Zone, also hosted activations related to Gender Day to raise awareness of inclusive climate action. Key sessions included a *Chagemakers Majlis* centered on addressing gender equality in climate financing for women-led eventures to drive collaborative nature and tech-based solutions; to *Sustainability in Style: The Runway to Decarbonization*, a discussion on opportunities to decarbonize supply chains and innovative strategies to address the interplay between consumer demands and climate; to the Mohmmad bin Rashid School of Government announcement of the 2023 *Arab SDG Index and Dashboard*, created in partnership with SDSN to provide data-driven insights on regional efforts to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

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For press inquiries, please contact:
NAME: Heba Hemdan
NUMBER: +971501635406
EMAIL: heba@wearestickyginger.com

For more information about the pavilion and the schedule of events taking place, please visit the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment Website, and the COP28 Website 

*About the UAE Pavilion at COP28*

Welcome to the UAE Pavilion at COP28, situated within the Blue Zone at COP28 —an integral platform to present our nation's commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions and encourage the acceleration needed on climate action at this critical moment. The UAE Pavilion at COP28 seeks to cultivate meaningful connections, promote collaboration, and collectively forge solutions that pave the way towards a resilient, low-carbon economy where all of life flourishes. Join us in shaping a sustainable future where every facet of life thrives.
Follow along on Instagram and X to learn more: @UAEPavilionCOP
LinkedIn: @UAEatCOP
Live sessions held at The UAE Pavilion at COP28 can be viewed on the official YouTube channel @UAEatCOP

*About COP28*

The UAE is hosting the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) from November 30 to December 12, 2023 at Expo City Dubai to unite the world towards agreement on bold, practical and ambitious solutions to the most pressing global challenge of our time. COP28 is of particular significance as it marks the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake, a comprehensive assessment of the progress made in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The UAE is gathering the world at COP28 UAE to co-create innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing, far-reaching climate challenges. With the declaration of 2023 as the “Year of Sustainability” in the UAE, the country is proud to host the COP28 UAE conference and more determined to accelerate climate action nationally and globally.

*Attachment*

· Her Excellency Mariam Al Mheiri - UAE Pavilion Blue Zone Programs on Day 5 of COP28