Enhancing food security in light of climate change

Enhancing food security in light of climate change

Climate changes affect global food security. With rising temperatures, changing weather patterns, and the intensification of extreme weather events, traditional agriculture has become less productive and unable to meet all the new global challenges. Because these climate changes are an obstacle to increasing the production of basic crops, and are one of the reasons for disruption of food supply chains in general. All of this requires adaptation to the effects of climate change with sustainable strategies, so that we can meet the needs of the growing population in light of these changing environmental conditions.

All countries are suffering from the effects of climate change, extreme weather events, and climate-related disasters. That is why the voices of global institutions concerned with food security issues have risen, and one of these institutions is the United Nations World Food Programme, which participated with the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation in this vital issue. The two - the Ministry and the Program - invited Egyptian start-ups based on providing innovative climate solutions to apply for a grant to support innovations that are affordable and inclusive. That is, innovations that enhance adaptation to climate change and help support food security.

This cooperation falls within the program “Accelerating Innovation in Climate Adaptation – CAIAP”, with support from the United Nations Adaptation Fund, and is part of a partnership of the “Accelerating Innovation in Climate Adaptation – AFCIA” program with the “Accelerating Innovation” program of the World Food Program in Munich.

This cooperation comes in light of the plan launched by the World Food Program in 2023, when it announced its 2023-2028 strategy in Egypt, a strategy that focuses on areas of enhancing food security, such as the field of agricultural and rural development in Upper Egypt.

With this international program, Egypt seeks to expand the scope of high-impact innovations that enhance climate adaptation, as it calls on innovators, entrepreneurs, and change makers to propose innovative solutions. In order to improve resilience and promote sustainable development and its seventeen goals, especially the second goal: the complete elimination of hunger, and the thirteenth goal: climate action.

This cooperation is based on the international competition “ClimaTech Run”, which was organized by Egypt prior toCOP27; In support of digital entrepreneurs and innovators; So that we can address the most pressing challenges in climate and food security. This competition - in its two versions - was able to attract more than 422 startup companies from 77 countries around the world.

Regarding this cooperation, the Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation - Dr. Rania Al-Mashat - said: “Empowering emerging companies and private sector participation is one of the main drivers of innovation and economic development, and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.

In the same context, the head of the Climate Adaptation Innovation Acceleration Program - Bernhard Koach - said: “We consider the launch of the program a strong testimony that innovation is crucial to addressing food insecurity and addressing climate change. This partnership will represent an important chapter in our struggle for a food secure future in a rapidly changing world.”

For his part, the representative and director of the World Food Program office in Egypt - Jean-Pierre Demarjorie - says: “We are proud to work with the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, support the launch of the program in Egypt, and harness the power of local innovations; To provide sustainable and tangible solutions for climate and food security”.

Successful proposals will receive the necessary guidance, practical support and a real opportunity to participate in WFP operations, in addition to grants of up to US$200,000. This is only a step towards accelerating and implementing all national and global plans related to combating climate change, which is something that is of interest to Earth Guards. Therefore, I highlighted this Egyptian international cooperation in the field of food security, the area most affected by climate change.