PARIS, 30 November, 2015 (FAO): FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva speaking today at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP21) appealed to world leaders to show courage and resilience by opting for changes that promote a safer, fairer and more inclusive world.
The most vulnerable must be helped to adapt to climate change, he added, stressing that in relation to the agricultural sectors, this requires environmentally sound initiatives that must go hand-in-hand with mitigating climate change impacts.
Building resilience by acting before, during and after crises
Droughts, floods, storms and other disasters triggered by climate change have risen in frequency and severity over the last three decades.
A recent FAO study shows that in developing countries, some 25 percent of the negative economic impact of these disasters is borne by the crop, livestock, fisheries and forestry sectors alone.
The A2R initiative will accelerate efforts to enhance climate resilience of the most vulnerable by 2020, Graziano da Silva said. FAO is working closely with the other Rome-based UN agencies, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP) on a common strategy to build resilience by acting before, during and after crises, he added.
The strategy aims to strengthen the capacities of countries to anticipate and absorb shocks and crises. At the same time it helps countries to sustainably transform the food, agriculture and livelihoods systems that are most at risk.
FAO welcomes the opportunity to co-host the A2R secretariat together with IFAD, WFP and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Graziano da Silva said.
He stressed that achieving resilience at scale relies on partnerships across sectors and invited other agencies and invited other agencies and organizations to join in the effort.
