UAE Delegation Attends CGIAR System Council Meeting in Brazil

Brasília, The Gulf Observer: Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court, led the UAE delegation to the 20th CGIAR System Council Meeting (SC20) 2024, held on June 12-13 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), a global partnership uniting organizations dedicated to research on agriculture, food security, resilience, and climate adaptation.

Mariam Almheiri underscored the UAE’s commitment to ensuring long-term global food security amid unprecedented climate challenges, stating, “The UAE firmly believes that international collaboration is crucial for achieving global food security. Our participation in the CGIAR System Council Meeting demonstrates our dedication to supporting research initiatives that can help all nations adapt and transform food systems in response to climate change imperatives.”

Almheiri highlighted, “The UAE recognizes the pivotal role of agricultural research in developing innovative solutions that empower countries to adapt to a changing climate. We are confident that our partnership with CGIAR will yield significant advancements in agricultural productivity and resilience.”

The UAE’s involvement in the CGIAR System Council Meeting follows the announcement of a new partnership with the Gates Foundation at COP28 in Dubai last year. This partnership focuses on joint investments in initiatives to accelerate agricultural research and innovations, enhancing resilience and climate adaptation among smallholder farmers. Both partners committed a total of US$200 million to address immediate and long-term threats to food security and nutrition caused by climate change.

Almheiri emphasized the importance of collaborative research, stating, “This partnership exemplifies our commitment to fostering collaborative efforts that address climate change challenges. By directing climate adaptation funding towards food security initiatives, we can empower smallholder farmers, particularly in vulnerable regions, to build resilience and adapt to changing weather patterns.”

The CGIAR System Council, the strategic decision-making body of CGIAR, reviews strategy, mission, resource allocation, impact, and continued relevance of the System as a whole. Meeting twice annually, it ensures CGIAR effectively delivers on its mission to advance research initiatives across agricultural domains, contributing directly to achieving a food-secure future through innovations and knowledge-sharing.

During her visit, Almheiri attended a reception hosted by the UAE Embassy in Brazil, celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Brazil. She praised the strong bilateral relations, emphasizing their transformative impact across all sectors.