“Cop27 is part of a process, not an endpoint.” words of Co-chair Ban Ki-moon at the closure of the COP27 Climate Change Conference in Egypt.

The Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens team was on the ground at COP27 as observers hosting official side events conducting bilateral meetings and advocating for climate change adaptation in agriculture across the blue zone, green zone, and innovation zone (hosted by Climate Action.) Check out our photo collection here.

Over the course of two weeks, we were able to meet with many of our partners and conducted 35+ bilateral meetings. It was especially great to have the chance to brainstorm with 4 African ministries and a number of European governments, including the EC, Germany, and UK on the topics of climate adaptation, capacity building, and empowering farmers against climate change on the continent including:

  • Hon. Minister Dr. Gerardine Mukeshimana, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Rwanda
  • Hon. Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Ghana
  • Hon. Eng. Collins Nzovu, Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Zambia
  • Senator Lawal Hassan Anka, Chairman of the Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, and Salisu M. Dahiru, Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, Nigeria

We also hosted 4 side events and contributed to 2 partner events. Below you can find the event details and stream links when available. 

BKMC Co-chair Ban Ki-moon shared opening remarks at the Sustainable Innovation Forum highlighting the urgent need to focus on climate adaptation finance and put smallholder farmers at the heart of our efforts. 

“Actions for a global, green and just transition” where BKMC Program Manager Angela Reithuber, moderated a panel at the Sustainable Innovation Forum hosted by Climate Action emphasizing the importance of climate justice. 

Implementation Lab on Resilient and Adaptive Food Systems where COO Katrin Harvey emphasized the importance of women in climate finance. She highlighted gender inclusivity in food systems such as having more women in decision-making, increasing the finance available, providing transparency in processes as well as focusing on gender-tailored capacity building for women.

Seeds for Equality: Young Women Shaping Regenerative Agriculture and Empowering Female Farmers in the Global South where Program Lead Viola Christian announced the Elevating the Voices of Women in Agriculture Champion Lilian Nakigozi and showcased the documentary of her initiative Women Smiles Uganda.

Accelerating Climate Adaptation in Agriculture – A Youth Perspective where the BKMC Youth Agri Champions demand paper on climate adaptation efforts for African youth was launched. Two champions were on stage with representatives from CGIAR, FAO, the Director for International Partnerships of the European Commission – Carla Montesi, and the director of the Zambian Ministry of Green Economy & Environment – Crusivia Chilobe Hichikumba, to discuss solutions that can directly support smallholder farmers secure the future of their livelihoods and of the world‘s food system.

“Elevating the Voices of Women in Agriculture: Challenges & Solutions Toward Women Farmers’ Empowerment in the Face of Climate Change” where, voices of female farmers such as Belinda Okungu, Kenya, Gender Lead and Pan-African Climate Justice Association, Josephine George Frances, Liberia, President, Farmers Union Network of Liberia, CEO of Arjay Farms and Arjay Coffee, former House Representative and Chair on the Committees of Agriculture, Elizabeth Akaba, Ghana, Produce Farmer and Tuba Women Farmers Association Leader shared concrete needs of women farmers to tackle the impacts of climate change and Program Lead Viola Christian showcased the documentary of women farmer Lilian Nakigozi’s initiative Women Smiles Uganda. No event stream is available but watch the documentary below.