ICARDA AT COP27

The 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the UNFCCC, hosted by Egypt in Sharm el-Sheikh, occurs 6-18 November 2022. The transformation of agri-food systems for climate resilience and global food and nutritional security is high on the COP27 agenda and a priority for CGIAR and its drylands agriculture center ICARDA. 
  
Drylands farming feeds millions of people across the arid regions of Central and West Asia, North Africa (CWANA), and the Middle East. As the climate crisis deepens, unsustainable water management and land-use practices continue, putting food and nutritional security of growing populations at grave risk. Resilient and sustainable agri-food systems are now a critical area for agricultural research in the region and beyond, making Egypt a fitting location for COP27.

ICARDA at COP27 

ICARDA's delegation, led by Mr. Aly Abousabaa, CGIAR's Regional Director CWANA and Director General of ICARDA, will participate in and lead over 20 events over the conference period. This year marks the first year where all 12 CGIAR Centers are coming together as a cohesive delegation within the UNFCCC COP process, a milestone in the ambitious OneCGIAR transformation to ensure the research partnership for a food-secure future is fit-for-purpose and can support effective transformation of food, land, and water systems in the climate crisis.  

At COP27, ICARDA will advocate for urgent global action to revolutionize 'business-as-usual' agri-food systems that are no longer fit for purpose, including in the dry regions. Under the intensifying climate crisis, yields are declining, land degradation and water scarcity are accelerating, and today's food systems continue to significantly contribute to greenhouse gases that perpetuate climate change. 

The delegation will showcase CGIAR's new global portfolio of agricultural initiatives and highlight the vital research potential that the CWANA Region offers through a rich abundance of unique plant and livestock biodiversity already adapted to harsh conditions, existing renewable energy projects, and national climate-smart agriculture programs well underway. These factors, along with the region's wide variations in agroecology, farming systems, climate, soil types, local expertise, and cultural practices, mean the region can act as a 'living lab' for global agri-research and be the leader in providing solutions to global challenges.

ICARDA Delegation at COP27: 

• Aly Abousabaa - ICARDA Director General and CGIAR CWANA Regional Director 
• Roula Majdalani - ICARDA Climate Change Advisor 
• Michael Baum - ICARDA Deputy Director General and Research Team Leader 
• Vinay Nangia - ICARDA Soils, Water and Agronomy Research Team Leader 
• Mariana Yazbek – ICARDA Genebank Manager   
• Ajit Govind -  ICARDA Senior Climate Scientist and Systems Modeler 
• Rachid Moussadek - ICARDA-INRA Morocco Systems Cropping Agronomist Joint Researcher 
• Mary Margaret McRae – ICARDA Head of Partnerships and Resource Mobilization 
• James Pursey – ICARDA Communication Manager  

COP27 – ICARDA Agenda

(subject to change as COP27 progresses)

ICARDA-led events

ICARDA Delegation Participation