UAE Participates In 20th CGIAR System Council Meeting In Brazil

Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Head of International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court, led the UAE delegation to the 20th CGIAR System Council Meeting (SC20) 2024, held on 12th–13th June 2024 in Brasília, Brazil. This marked the UAE's inaugural participation in the Council’s meetings since officially joining the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

CGIAR is a global partnership that unites international organisations engaged in research about agriculture, food security, resilience, and climate adaptation. Almheiri stated that the UAE's decision to engage with the CGIAR System Council underscores its commitment to ensuring long-term food security amid climate challenges. She remarked, "The UAE is a firm believer that international collaboration is key to achieving global food security."

Almheiri continued, "The UAE recognises the crucial role that agricultural research plays in developing innovative solutions that empower countries to adapt to the realities of a changing climate. We are confident that our new partnership with CGIAR will yield significant advancements in agricultural productivity and resilience."

The UAE’s participation in the CGIAR System Council Meeting followed the announcement of a new partnership between the UAE and the Gates Foundation at COP28 in Dubai last year. The partnership focuses on joint investments in initiatives intended to accelerate agricultural research and innovations to help smallholder farmers build resilience and adapt to climate change.

Together, the partners committed US$200 million in response to immediate and long-term threats to food security and nutrition caused by climate change. Almheiri emphasised, "The partnership exemplifies our commitment to fostering collaborative efforts that address the challenges of climate change."

The CGIAR System Council is the strategic decision-making body of the CGIAR System. It reviews strategy, mission, resource allocation, impact, and continued relevancy of the System as a whole. The Council meets face-to-face twice per year to ensure that CGIAR effectively delivers on its mission to produce research initiatives across various domains in the agricultural sector.

This research directly contributes to achieving a food-secure future by fostering innovations and knowledge-sharing across various stakeholders. CGIAR works for a world with sustainable and resilient food, land, and water systems that deliver diverse, healthy, safe, sufficient, and affordable diets.

UAE-Brazil Diplomatic Relations

In a related context, Almheiri attended a reception organised by the UAE Embassy in Brazil on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Saleh Al Suwaidi, UAE Ambassador to Brazil, was also present.

She lauded the privileged and growing relations between the two countries, emphasising that this strong bond is nurtured by steadfast support from both nations' leaderships. Almheiri highlighted the transformative impact of the UAE-Brazil strategic partnership across all sectors.

CGIAR's Mission and Structure

CGIAR aims to deliver science and innovation that advance food, land, and water systems transformation amid a climate crisis. Established in 1971, it is overseen by a coordinating group of donor organisations who have convened 2-3 times a year since 2016 via a governing body known as the System Council.

The 23 members with voting authority include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, European Commission, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, UK, USA as well as several country constituency groups representing East Asia, South Asia, West Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Additionally represented are three international organisations: African Development Bank, World Bank and Crop Trust/IFAD along with Gates Foundation.

With inputs from WAM