BAKU, November 12, 2024 – As 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change [COP29] kicks off in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa [AFSA] is set to bring agroecology to the forefront of climate discussions.
Representing a diverse coalition of African civil society organisations, AFSA’s 15-member delegation, comprising representatives from ten African countries, will advocate for agroecology as a just and transformative approach to addressing the climate crisis, enhancing resilience, and promoting food sovereignty across Africa.
At COP29, AFSA will advance a series of positions emphasising agroecology as a sustainable solution to climate adaptation and resilience for African small-scale farmers, pastoralists, fisherfolk, and Indigenous communities.
Sena Alouka, Executive Director of Togo’s Young Volunteers for the Environment and Chair of AFSA’s Climate and Agroecology Working Group emphasized, “At COP29, dubbed the “Finance COP,” we are calling for a significant increase in climate finance dedicated to agroecology—a proven pathway for resilient food systems that work with nature, not against it. To truly address climate change adaptation in Africa, we need funding commitments that support small-scale farmers and Indigenous communities, enabling a just transition to agroecology that centers biodiversity, food security, and local knowledge systems.”
AFSA’s agenda highlights the urgent need to prioritize agroecology in climate policies, specifically in the Global Goal of Adaptation, National Adaptation Plans [NAPs], Nationally Determined Contributions [NDCs], and a New Collective Quantified Goal [NCQG] on climate finance.
Key Advocacy Priorities for AFSA at COP29:
Global Goal on Adaptation: AFSA calls on countries to adopt adaptation metrics that center on small-scale food producers and Indigenous communities, promoting agroecology as a climate-resilient and biodiversity-preserving practice.
National Adaptation Plans [NAPs]: AFSA advocates for gender-responsive and community-centered NAPs that integrate agroecology as a core strategy for adaptation, supporting vulnerable communities while fostering sustainable livelihoods.
Nationally Determined Contributions [NDCs]: AFSA encourages nations to include agroecology in their NDCs, not only as a climate adaptation measure but as a mechanism for emission reduction, ensuring sustainable food systems that are just and resilient.
Climate Finance under the New Collective Quantified Goal [NCQG]: AFSA will push for a significant increase in climate finance directed toward agroecological approaches, emphasizing the need for grants-based finance to empower small-scale farmers and prevent developing countries from incurring debt under the guise of climate support.
“AFSA’s presence at COP29 will underscore that agroecology is more than a farming practice; it is a pathway to ecological sustainability, social justice, and climate resilience,” said Dr. Million Belay, AFSA General Coordinator. “Throughout the conference, our delegation will engage in discussions and collaborations, championing agroecology as a practical, people-centered alternative to industrial agriculture. We believe agroecology offers a transformative solution that can reshape food systems, protect biodiversity, and secure resilient livelihoods for communities across Africa.”
As part of its advocacy, AFSA will also launch a one-week social media campaign, “Agroecology for Climate Action,” to amplify these critical messages and engage with a global audience in support of agroecological transformation.
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