In an effort to emphasise the critical role of sustainable agriculture in addressing the growing challenges of climate change, food insecurity, water scarcity and land degradation, the International Centre For Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) participated in a series of high-level events and strategic meetings at COP29.
“The escalating climate crisis necessitates urgent, innovative and inclusive solutions, driven by the mobilisation of substantial climate finance to support the most vulnerable communities”, said Dr Tarifa Alzaabi, Director General of the ICBA. “Through science-driven approaches, we can empower societies to adapt and thrive amid increasing challenges.”
“ICBA’s initiatives, such as integrated agri-aquaculture systems, stress-tolerant crops, and capacity-building programmes for women and youth, provide transformative pathways to enhance water security, rehabilitate degraded ecosystems, and build resilience against climate impacts. COP29 was a pivotal platform to foster global collaboration, unlock climate finance, and advance sustainable agricultural practices that leave no one behind.”
Creating Sustainable Impact in Arid and Saline Environments in Central Asia: The Power of Partnerships for SDG17
At the UAE Pavilion, ICBA hosted the session ‘Creating Sustainable Impact in Arid and Saline Environments in Central Asia: The power of Partnerships for SDG17’. This event was moderated by Dr Charbel Tarraf, ICBA’s Chief of Operations and Development. The panel featured Dr Tarifa Alzaabi, Mr Bekmurat Turdishev, Director of the Karakalpakstan Agrarian Research Institute (KARI), and Dr Marguba Rejapova, ICBA Post-Doctoral Fellow.
Supported by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the discussion highlighted pioneering strategies to combat soil salinity and water scarcity, enhance sustainable agriculture, and strengthen climate resilience in Central Asia. The panel emphasised the pivotal role of climate finance in facilitating such partnerships, enabling transformative projects that address the impacts of climate change while enhancing agricultural productivity and food security.
Empowering Women and Youth for Climate Action
ICBA, in collaboration with ICESCO, hosted a panel titled ‘Unlocking the Potential of Youth and Women in Transforming Food Systems for Climate Action’ at the ICESCO Pavilion. Moderated by Dr Charbel Tarraf, the session brought together diverse voices, including representatives from ICESCO, Azerbaijan’s Genetic Resources Institute, Green Republic Farms Nigeria, and the ICBA Project Development Specialist, Ms Nour El Jundi.
The panel highlighted ICBA-led initiatives such as LCOY UAE 2023 and ICBA YES, which empower women and youth to adopt sustainable agricultural practices and lead climate-smart transformations. Discussions underscored the importance of equipping youth and women with the tools and resources needed to foster innovation and build resilience in the agricultural sector.
Tackling Climate Challenges through the WEFE Nexus
Dr Tarifa Alzaabi participated as a panelist at a session organised by ICESCO, sharing expertise on the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE), emphasising the importance of integrated approaches to managing resources efficiently in water-scarce regions.
The session underscores the need for targeted climate finance to support the implementation of WEFE-based strategies, ensuring sustainable resource management for vulnerable communities.
Strategic Collaboration with WorldFish
ICBA also held a bilateral meeting with WorldFish, a CGIAR member, to explore synergies in agri-aquaculture systems. Dr Tarifa Alzaabi and Dr Essam Yassin Mohammed, Director General of WorldFish, discussed ways to enhance food security and resilience in costal and saline environments.
The meeting highlighted ICBA’s expertise in Integrated Agri-Aquaculture Systems (IAAS) and WorldFish’s leadership in aquatic food systems, aiming to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for vulnerable communities.
Showcase at the UAE Pavilion
At the UAE Pavilion, iCBA showcased its extensive stress-tolerant seeds (drought, heat, and sea-tolerant), including millet, quinoa, amaranth, Buffel grass, wheat, and maize, among others. Developed and tested to thrive in saline, arid and water-scare environments, these seeds provide practical solutions to enhance food security and agricultural resilience.
The ICBA has implemented years of rigorous experimentation and field applications with the crops, directly addressing the challenges posed by climate change and the resource scarcity in these vulnerable regions.
ICBA’s commitment to empowering communities through inclusive initiatives, fostering international collaboration, and promoting science-driven solutions for sustainable agriculture, was highlighted by its participation at COP29.