Zambia and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have agreed to strengthen collaboration to mobilise approximately US$300 million in climate finance to climate-proof the country’s agrifood systems.
The commitment was made in Rome, Italy, following high-level bilateral discussions between Minister of Green Economy and Environment Gilbert Siame and FAO Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment Deputy Director Piedad Martin.
The discussions brought together Jeff Griffin, Executive Coordinator of the Global Environment Facility (GEF); Sergio Hinojosa, Natural Resources Officer at GEF; Michela Morese, Senior Energy Team Lead; Fouad Bergigui of the GEF Small Grants Programme; John Mulongoti, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture; and Suze Percy-Filippini, FAO Representative in Zambia.
The initiative aims to mobilise climate finance through the Green Climate Fund and other financing mechanisms to support resilient agriculture, food security, sustainable livelihoods and green economic growth.
“We have secured high-level collaboration to advance Zambia’s climate financing agenda and climate-proof our agrifood systems,” Siame said.
He said the collaboration would focus on climate-smart agriculture, sustainable land management, renewable energy solutions, climate-resilient infrastructure, access to finance and stronger agricultural markets.
Siame said the initiative aligned with Zambia’s vision of green growth, recognising that investments in climate action and agrifood systems were mutually reinforcing.
“Through partnerships with FAO and international climate finance institutions, we are positioning Zambia to attract investment that strengthens agricultural production, creates opportunities for our farmers and builds resilience against climate shocks,” he said.
FAO Representative in Zambia, Suze Percy-Filippini, said the agency looked forward to supporting the Government and its partners in developing investment-ready initiatives capable of unlocking climate finance at scale.
“Transforming Zambia’s agrifood systems is critical to achieving food security, improving nutrition and creating economic opportunities across rural communities,” Percy-Filippini said.
She said Zambia was showcasing climate-smart investment opportunities in the maize, wheat, beef, soybean and honey value chains, alongside renewable energy solutions to support agrifood development.
Percy-Filippini said investing in resilient agricultural production, stronger value chains and inclusive market systems would lay the foundation for sustainable agrifood systems capable of feeding a growing population, creating jobs and improving livelihoods.
FAO Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment Deputy Director, Piedad Martin, said climate finance was an essential catalyst for turning ambition into action.
She said Zambia had presented a compelling vision that brought together climate resilience, sustainable development and agricultural growth.
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