Press Release: CGIAR to host the Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation with USD1.4M grant from Norway

23 September, 2024 - Montpellier, France

CGIAR has been invited to host the Secretariat of the Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation (ACF), with funding from the Government of Norway, through a NOK 15 million (approximately USD 1.4 million) grant. The initiative seeks to accompany countries as they work to scale up efforts to transform food systems domestically and internationally.

The ACF is an Alliance of countries committed to urgent, systemic food systems change that benefits people, nature, and climate. The funding will enable CGIAR to serve as the host for the ACF Secretariat, in collaboration with Chatham House and the Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU), over an 18-month period starting in October 2024.

Launched at Climate COP28, the ACF seeks to accelerate global progress in five key areas: climate mitigation, food security and nutrition, adaptation and resilience, equity and livelihoods, and nature and biodiversity.

"I am delighted to announce our support for the ACF Secretariat, which will be hosted by CGIAR, working with Chatham House and FOLU" said H.E. Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Norwegian Minister of International Development. "Ambitious global action to transform food systems is vital if we are to tackle food insecurity, climate change, and biodiversity loss, and to improve health and equity outcomes - so Norway is very proud to be a founding member and co-chair of the ACF."

Announcement event: H.E. Dr Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security, Sierra Leone; Ana Terra Ries, Secretary of Supply, Cooperativism, and Food Sovereignty, Ministry of Agrarian Development, Brazil; H.E. Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Norwegian Minister for International Development; and Guillaume Grosso, CGIAR Deputy Managing Executive Director

The ACF is co-chaired by Brazil, Norway, and Sierra Leone, with Cambodia and Rwanda also serving as member states. The Alliance aims to provide a unified voice for countries advocating for comprehensive food systems reforms. Its mission includes advancing a whole-of-government approach to ensure sustainable food production, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve the livelihoods of those working across food supply chains.

Both Sierra Leone and Rwanda have made significant early progress as ACF members, recently finalizing their food system plans. Both are in the process of developing investment pipelines, which CGIAR Centers are committed to supporting. Sierra Leone also secured $100m in funding from the African Development Bank to invest in strengthening food security and agricultural growth.

CGIAR's involvement in the ACF is a natural extension of its long-standing commitment to food systems transformation. As a global research network focused on delivering science and innovation that advance the transformation of food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis, CGIAR has played a key role in validating the ACF's 10 priority intervention areas. These areas guide countries in adopting policies that promote sustainable food systems while addressing trade-offs related to food production, health, and environmental impacts.

"As global food systems struggle to meet deepening nutritional, environmental, and economic challenges, the ACF stands as a response to these intertwined crises. At CGIAR, we are committed to guiding countries through the intricacies of food systems transformation, and it's a privilege to host the ACF Secretariat," said CGIAR Executive Managing Director Ismahane Elouafi. "Norway's support empowers us to take bold action. The ACF will facilitate connections between countries and technical experts to accelerate implementation, while also raising ambition at global platforms like climate COPs. With science, we can secure food systems, strengthen resilience, and safeguard biodiversity."

As momentum builds towards Climate COP29, the ACF invites other countries to join this collective effort. By working together, members aim to lead global food systems reform that addresses the critical intersections of health, climate, biodiversity, and equity.

For more information, contact:

• Adam Hunt: [email protected]
• www.cgiar.org

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.