HLPF Side-event 'Sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions on water and energy: Reducing poverty, promoting sustainable agriculture and combating climate change'

I would like to thank DESA and the Sustainable Water and Energy Solutions Network for organizing this informative event today, and to all of the diverse speakers for sharing their work and insights.

For FAO climate change, energy, water and food security are strictly connected, and agrifood systems solutions are climate solutions, at the center of the water-food-energy nexus.

Holistic, approaches to the way we produce, distribute, and consume agrifood products can address challenges at the crossroads of climate, water, and energy issues.

To facilitate this transformation we advocate four pivotal actions:

First, we must foster coordinated national action by aligning policies across sectors to include agrifood system solutions. Nationally Determined Contributions, National Adaptation Plans, and the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, and National Water Road Maps are amongst the examples of plans that form the cornerstone of this integrated approach.

Second, we must develop an evidence-based framework for the nexus, and FAO is now working on practical application of the nexus approach through projects.

Third, we must increase climate finance for agrifood system solutions, and innovative financing models are essential to attract private investments and drive transformative actions to ensure nobody is left behind.

Finally, we must strengthen inclusive multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Thank you.