Convergence Initiative Seeks to Integrate Climate Action into Food Systems


Convergence Initiative Seeks to Integrate Climate Action into Food Systems

Authorities are pursuing the integration of climate action into food systems and nutrition strategies through a national workshop held last week at Skylight Hotel on Africa Ave. The workshop gathered government ministers, development partners, private sector representatives, academics, and civil society members, seeking to incorporate climate impacts into solutions for Ethiopian Food Systems Transformation & Nutrition (EFSTN) with the overall aim of strengthening the country’s implementation capabilities. This workshop is part of the Convergence Initiative, which is championed by the government with support from the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and other stakeholders. A key focus of the workshop was identifying and assessing the costs of climate-induced vulnerabilities towards building resilience across social, economic, and environmental sectors, while simultaneously addressing food security and agricultural sustainability. The workshop also addressed Ethiopia's climate ambitions, including the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century and mitigating the long-term impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations. The workshop served as a platform to refine strategies to align food systems and climate actions with the 10-year development plan with an emphasis on securing sustainable funding mechanisms and engaging the private sector, as well as developing a monitoring and evaluation framework.

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