Today's Edition
Jessi Amason (DUBAI)
The ongoing COP28 conference has witnessed significant collaboration on a multitude of issues critical to the future of humanity, including a basic issue for human survival: food security. In an interview with Aletihad on the sidelines of the conference, Mageed Yahia, World Food Programme Representative to the GCC, detailed the organisation’s work in the region on climate-related issues.
Yahia explained that WFP’s participation at COP28 includes a delegation from the organisation’s headquarters, in addition to delegations from WFP’s field offices, which he described as locations “where the effect of climate is seen there and felt, affecting millions of people”.
“We were very delighted to see that from day one, the Loss and Damages Fund was approved,” Yahia said, detailing WFP’s response to COP28’s progress so far, emphasising the importance of the fund for communities that are not contributors to climate change, but bear the brunt of its impacts. WFP has been actively advocating for the connection between climate and food security, bringing the issue to the forefront of discussions at COP28.
“So, we’ve been very active in this. We have been in a number of events. And we brought the issue of the connection between climate and food security to every table there. And we hope that our voice is heard on this issue,” Yahia added.
When asked about the challenges to food security in the region, particularly those related to climate change, Yahia highlighted the region’s arid environment and heavy dependence on food imports as factors that make it vulnerable to the unpredictable climate patterns resulting from a changing climate.
External factors like economic downturns and conflicts also contribute to food insecurity, he said. Regarding the role of technology and innovation in combatting food insecurity, Yahia noted that WFP has been actively involved in finding innovative ways to help communities mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Climate finance, including insurance policies for countries affected by erratic weather patterns, as well as anticipatory climate warning services, are among the strategies employed by WFP, he said.
“One thing also we’re doing is the climate service, which is an anticipatory action. We are linking communities on the ground, like smallholder farmers, with access to information on the climate, working with metrological departments on the ground on what’s happening, or what would likely happen, so that they’re prepared,” Yahia said.
The service is intended for farmers and communities to prepare for harsh changes, rather than be taken by surprise, he added. Yahia also commented on the UAE’s role as a leader in humanitarian development and aid, noting that the country has been one of WFP’s “main donors”.
“We have been hosted here by the UAE for over two decades now,” noted Yahia, acknowledging the significant role the UAE plays in supporting WFP’s operations. The UAE’s contributions extend to the WFP’s diverse operations in many countries.
“Being based here gives us access to innovations, to technologies, and advances in technologies that the UAE has come up with, as well as excellent infrastructure,” he added. “We are grateful for this partnership. And we’re working, of course, to expand this partnership further,” Yahia said, stressing the commitment to strengthening the collaboration between WFP and the UAE to further address climate-related food security challenges in the region and beyond.
