Today’s gathering comes at a critical time. Across our regions, we are witnessing the growing impacts of climate change—erratic rainfall, land degradation, declining biodiversity, and increasing pressure on our natural resources. These challenges are not isolated; they are deeply interconnected with how we produce food, manage land, and support livelihoods.
Climate-smart agriculture offers us a pathway forward. It calls for innovative approaches that increase productivity, enhance resilience, and reduce emissions. However, without adequate and accessible financing, even the most promising solutions remain out of reach for many farmers and communities. This conference therefore provides a platform to explore sustainable financing models that can unlock opportunities and scale impact.
Our wetlands, often undervalued, play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. They act as natural water filters, buffers against flooding, and reservoirs of biodiversity. Protecting and restoring these ecosystems is not optional—it is essential for both environmental sustainability and human survival.
Agroforestry, on the other hand, represents a powerful intersection between agriculture and environmental stewardship. By integrating trees into farming systems, we can restore soil fertility, improve yields, and create additional sources of income, all while contributing to climate mitigation. At the same time, we must address the persistent and complex challenge of open grazing. This issue has far-reaching implications for land use, food security, environmental sustainability, and social cohesion. It requires thoughtful dialogue, inclusive policies, and practical solutions that consider the needs of farmers, herders, and communities alike.This conference brings together policymakers, researchers, financial institutions, development partners, and practitioners. Your expertise, experiences, and perspectives are invaluable. Over the course of our discussions, I encourage us all to engage openly, think innovatively, and work collaboratively toward actionable solutions.Let this not be just another conversation, but a turning point—where ideas are transformed into commitments, and commitments into measurable impact.2026 climate change global conf
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