By Ijeoma Agbafo
The United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Mohamed Fall, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in strengthening food systems, promoting climate resilience and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Fall gave the assurance on Thursday at the two-day National Dialogue on Nigeria’s Convergence Initiative on Food Systems and Climate Action in Abuja. The event brought together stakeholders from government, development partners, academia, civil society and the private sector to align food systems transformation with climate action in support of the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement.
He said the UN would continue to support Nigeria through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework by strengthening food systems, promoting climate resilience, empowering women and young people, mobilising sustainable financing and advancing nationally led development efforts. He also commended the Federal Government for demonstrating leadership in driving food systems transformation through collaboration with partners.
Also speaking, Deputy Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, Ms Lara Rothe, said Nigeria had become the 22nd country to join the Convergence Initiative on Food Systems and Climate Action. She noted that the country had held more than 40 national and local dialogues since the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, leading to the identification of 78 priority actions under its Food Systems Transformation Pathway.
During a technical panel session, UNICEF’s Chief of Nutrition, Ms Nemat Hajeebhoy, called for greater attention to nutrition in food systems transformation, stressing that access to nutritious food was essential for healthy growth, particularly among children. Other panelists urged governments and development partners to strengthen collaboration, invest in resilient food systems and equip young women with the skills needed to compete in the global economy.
