At the 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24) in Poland, Solidaridad argued that farmers play a key role in transforming landscapes and should share in the benefits of climate innovation.The high-level engagement targeted development partners and government representatives in developing countries where Solidaridad has successfully established a number of public-private partnerships.
Isaac Gyamfi, managing director for Solidaridad West Africa, said that despite Solidaridad’s achievements, a significant number of farmers are still not feeling the benefit of measures designed to reduce the impact of global warming.
“Solidaridad Network has demonstrated over the years that its work in climate innovations, especially in developing countries, actually build the resilience of farmers by helping them to adapt to climate change and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.
“We need to reach speed, scale and depth to experience landscape transformation. This is why we call on you to support Solidaridad’s public-private partnership arrangement in your respective countries to be able to affect more farmers.”
Isaac Gyamfi, Solidaridad's Managing Director for West-Africa, addresses the audience at one of the COP24 events.
Member of Parliament in Cote d’Ivoire, Hon. Sangare Yacouba, commended Solidaridad for its farmer-focused, climate-smart interventions that are helping to reduce poverty in many communities. He pledged the government’s support for Solidaridad’s work in the country.
Deputy Minister of Water Resources in Sierra Leone, Hon. Edward Sandy, said his government welcomed Solidaridad’s desire to improve farmers’ livelihoods through sustainable and innovative solutions. “You can count on government’s support as you work to benefit a lot more farmers in Sierra Leone,” he added.
Benjamin Karmorh, UNFCCC Focal Point and Coordinator of Multi-Lateral Environmental Agreements for Liberia, assured his office's readiness to collaborate with Solidaridad in building youth capacity in climate-smart agri-commodities to stem the tide of youth migration in the country.
Other delegates from eight countries where Solidaridad is working also shared ideas for establishing and deepening their partnerships and pledged their support for Solidaridad’s work.
Jan Maarten Dros, Solidaridad’s climate innovations manager, shared insights on the organization’s climate innovations portfolio, while Dr. Winston Asante, technical advisor on climate change for Solidaridad West Africa, demonstrated the transformative effects of Solidaridad’s climate change response interventions.
Through three side events co-hosted at COP24, Solidaridad has been highlighting its presence in the climate space as it works to build sustainable supply chains by placing farmers first. If you like to learn more about these events, please take a look at our dedicated webpage for COP24
Download presentations made at the event
Published by: Solidaridad West Africa