Lomé (Togo), 25 November 2025 – The World Rural Forum is organising the 5th Meeting of African National Committees of Family Farming (NCFF), which will take place from 25 to 27 November in Lomé, Togo. Representatives of NCFFs from 21 African countries, together with the Government of Togo and international partners such as the FAO, are gathering at the event to exchange experiences, strengthen capacities and promote public policies that boost family farming within the framework of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF 2019–2028).

Family farming produces more than 80% of the world’s food in terms of value and manages more than 80% of all agricultural land. This global significance is also reflected in Africa, where family farms provide livelihoods and employment for two-thirds of the population. In this context, the National Committees of Family Farming are key platforms for promoting policy dialogue between family farming organisations, governments and international entities, thereby strengthening the strategic role of family farming in countries.

According to Belén Citoler, Director of the World Rural Forum: “Thanks to the exchange of experiences and the reflections generated in peer-to-peer discussions, this type of meeting is a key opportunity to strengthen the capacities and knowledge of NCFFs and family farming organisations. This fifth meeting of African NCFFs will seek, in particular and through the framework of the Decade, to increase their participation in key national policy dialogue processes related to current challenges facing family farming, such as the transformation of food systems, the environmental agenda, gender equality and generational renewal. The National Action Plans of the UNDFF are a valuable tool for advancing national priorities on these topics”.

The WRF is organising the event in conjunction with the Togolese Coordination of Farmers’ and Agricultural Producers’ Organisations (CTOP), INADES Formation Togo and the National Platform for the Promotion of Family Farming in Togo (PNAFAT/NCFF of Togo), with the support of the Basque Agency for Cooperation and Solidarity (eLankidetza).

Objectives of the meeting

The meeting is designed as an opportunity to strengthen the capacity of family farming organisations to participate in national dialogue processes on food systems and climate change. The meeting also offers the chance to share good practices and lessons learned.

It will also encourage African National Committees (NCFFs) to promote multi-stakeholder dialogue processes and better policies for family farming, with a special emphasis on the situation of young people and women.

2026, International Year of the Woman Farmer

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. This initiative provides a new promotional framework that National Committees of Family Farming (NCFFs) can leverage to promote greater recognition of women in family farming and greater incorporation of their priorities into specific national policies. Within the framework of the Decade, 770 women’s organisations in family farming have been involved in the processes of developing and transforming agri-food systems through the National Committees of Family Farming.

The WRF and the UNDFF 2019-2028

Family farming has been recognised globally as a fundamental model for sustainable rural development through the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF, 2019–2028), which encourages countries to develop active policies to support family farmers. Since the launch of the Decade, 18 National Action Plans and 385 policies, laws and regulations have been developed and approved to support family farming and the transformation towards more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.

Furthermore, family farming is directly linked to many of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, as it contributes significantly to food security, poverty reduction, gender equality, biodiversity conservation and resilience to climate change.

For this reason, the World Rural Forum identifies the Decade as a unique opportunity for countries to align agricultural transformation with their broader national priorities. In this process, the National Committees of Family Farming (NCFFs) play—and will continue to play—an essential role in advancing public policies that recognise the contributions of family farming to sustainable development.

7th November 2025 – The World Rural Forum participates in the United Nations COP 30 on Climate Change, held in Belém do Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon region, from 10 to 21 November 2025. The WRF is attending the most important climate conversation of the year to offer solutions to environmental challenges based on its knowledge of family farming and to promote the strategic role of family farmers.

COP 30 is an opportunity to recognise family farming as a key player in sustainability, with clear mandates, specific policies and the establishment of new financing mechanisms. It is time to move from commitments to implementation.

Family farming is a proven strategic ally: it produces more than 80% of the world’s food in terms of value and manages more than 80% of all agricultural land. It is at the forefront of providing solutions to climate change, as recognised by the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028).

Thus, the WRF adheres to the key concept of COP 30, mutirão (community coming together for a shared task), to demonstrate that great solutions begin at the local level and that the deep knowledge that farmers have of their territories supports their active participation in decision-making processes and the reception of better and greater climate financing.

Key messages from the WRF for COP 30

At the Pre-COP 30 held in Brasilia last June, family farming organisations established the following thematic priorities for COP 30:

• Recognition of family farming as a key actor in climate action.
• integrating family farming into national climate policies (NDCs) and national adaptation plans (NAPs).
• Access to adequate climate finance for family farming
• Transformation of the current climate finance architecture and creation of a specific fund for family farming. 
• Empowerment of rural women and youth.
• Secure and sustainable access to land and water.

WRF participation in key events at COP 30

During the eleven days of COP 30, the WRF will play an active role: it will organise its own events and participate in those of other actors, as well as in formal negotiations as a member of the Farmers Constituency and in the Action Agenda of the Brazilian Presidency of COP30. In all these spaces, it will highlight the key role of family farming in the international climate agenda and promote it as an essential model for building sustainable and resilient food systems.

WRF delegation at COP 30

A diverse international delegation from the World Rural Forum, with more than 20 representatives from family farming organisations in Africa, Latin America, Oceania and Europe, will share their knowledge and experience gained from decades of work in agriculture. Its representatives are well aware of the catalytic role of family farming in climate action: they have been contributing to sustainability and to the adaptation and mitigation of the effects of climate change for years.

WRF presentation document at COP30

COP 30 is an opportunity to recognise family farming as an indispensable actor in tackling climate change and contributing to global food security. The WRF delegation arrives in Belém do Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon, with the knowledge, capacity and commitment to provide solutions and be an active part of the change.

The presentation document summarises the organisation’s roadmap for this decisive meeting and delves deeper into the COP we want. Don’t miss it and click here. 

The time for family farming is now, and we will be its voice in the most important climate conversation of the year. Join us on our social media channels. You are part of the movement; we are counting on you.

16 June 2025 – From 3 to 5 June, in Brasília, representatives of major family farmers’ organisations—members of the World Rural Forum (WRF) and other networks—alongside government officials, international organizations, academia, philanthropy, and multilateral development banks from Brazil and around the world, gathered in a collaborative dialogue to ensure that family farming is placed at the heart of COP30, which will be held in Belém from 10 to 21 November 2025.

Organized by the WRF with the support of the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF), the Family Farming Pre-COP30 was a strategic gathering to build joint proposals and priorities aimed at strengthening the contribution of family farming to climate action and ensuring its effective participation in the key spaces of COP30.

Family farming produces nearly 80% of the world’s food in terms of value. It does so responsibly, through practices that contribute directly to climate adaptation and mitigation, such as agroecology, sustainable land management, and biodiversity conservation. As recognised by the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF 2019–2028), family farming is essential for building sustainable and resilient food systems—for people and the planet. Supporting family farmers at the centre of food systems represents one of the greatest opportunities to achieve the Paris Agreement. This transformation must be central to the COP30 implementation agenda.

During the event, Brazilian government authorities such as the Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Farming, Paulo Teixeira, the Deputy Minister for Environment and Climate Change, João Capobianco, and Alice Amorim, representative of the COP30 Presidency, joined specialised agencies and diplomatic representatives in expressing their commitment to family farmers and their shared interest in strong representation at COP30.

OUTCOMES OF THE PRE-COP30: SHARED PRIORITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM FAMILY FARMING

Built jointly through rich dialogues with more than 30 presentations, roundtables, and working groups, the Family Farming Pre-COP30 concluded with common proposals and priorities to position family farming in the climate negotiations toward COP30. Key points include:

• Recognition as a key actor in climate action, with effective participation in governance structures, policy formulation, and the implementation of climate finance.
• Integration of family farming into national frameworks, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation and Mitigation Plans, and fostering convergence with biodiversity and desertification strategies.
• Eliminating barriers to access to climate finance for family farming through appropriate mechanisms, simplified procedures, and an enabling policy environment. This requires national and global reforms and the establishment of a specific fund for empowerment and resilience, led by family farmers’ organisations.
• Empowerment of youth and women in family farming through specific policies, capacity building, equitable access to resources, and decision-making participation.
• Secure access to land and water for family farmers.
• Ensuring that COP30 positions family farming as a strategic sector and delivers clear mandates to scale up its fundamental contribution to climate solutions.

To ensure these recommendations and priorities reach COP30, it is necessary to secure explicit recognition of family farming on Food Day at COP30 and within the Brazilian Presidency’s Action Agenda, as well as to integrate specific indicators for family farming within the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), enabling the generation of evidence on the impacts and contributions of family farming to climate resilience. Furthermore, the presence of family farming must be strengthened in global climate finance frameworks under the UNFCCC, through the implementation of the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), follow-up on the Baku to Belém Roadmap, and operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund, ensuring fair benefit-sharing with rural communities.

A preview of the conclusions of the Pre-COP30 on Family Farming is available in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.

NEXT STEPS TOWARD COP30

The Family Farming Pre-COP30 has been an unparalleled opportunity to articulate proposals and priorities that position family farmers at the core of the climate agenda.

This collective effort continues. Family farming joins the call of the COP30 Presidency for a “Global Mutirão”, bringing forward concrete climate solutions from the territories while promoting ongoing dialogue with governments and international organisations.

The Family Farming Pre-COP30 marks a milestone on the road to COP30. The World Rural Forum, together with its member family farmers’ organisations, will continue its active engagement through participation in the June Climate Meetings (SB62), to be held from 16 to 26 June in Bonn. In addition, the WRF will convene a webinar dialogue with UNFCCC negotiators from different regions to delve deeper into the conclusions of the Family Farming Pre-COP30 and align family farming priorities with the positions of the State Parties.

The Family Farming Pre-COP30 has been more than a conference—it has been a coordinated process to amplify the voices of family farmers toward COP30 and beyond.

From June 3 to 5, 2025, Brasília will host a strategic global gathering on family farming: the Family Farming Pre-COP30. This international conference, convened by the World Rural Forum (WRF) with the support of the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF), will bring together family farmers organisations from across the globe, along with government representatives, international agencies, policy-makers and experts. The goal: to build joint proposals from family farming ahead of COP30, which will be held in Belém from November 10 to 21, 2025.

In the current climate emergency — where family farmers are directly affected by climate change, yet also contribute essential solutions — the Family Farming Pre-COP30 represents a strategic opportunity to consolidate strategies, forge alliances and influence climate policies.

A KEY STEP TO STRENGTHEN FAMILY FARMING IN CLIMATE NEGOTIATIONS

The Family Farming Pre-COP30 aligns with the Brazilian COP30 Presidency’s call for a climate “mutirão” — a collective effort that perfectly embodies the cooperative spirit that defines family farming.

Family farmers produce more than 80% of the world’s food in value terms. Through agricultural production, care for territories, and preservation of traditional knowledge, family farmers are not only confronting climate impacts — they are delivering climate action on the ground, demonstrating an integrated approach that brings simultaneous benefits for the planet, the economy and people.

The outcomes of this Family Farming Pre-COP30 will support the effective inclusion of family farmers solutions in global climate negotiations, with concrete proposals and strengthened multi-stakeholder alliances to respond to the climate crisis.

This conference marks an important milestone in ensuring that COP30 in Belém recognises and enhances the transformative role of family farming in the climate and rural development agenda, linking global negotiations with the realities and solutions emerging from the territories.

The Family Farming Pre-COP30 builds on the continued work of the World Rural Forum and its members to promote the effective participation of family farming in international processes, in line with the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF 2019–2028).

The voice of family farming will arrive at COP30 with joint proposals, strengthened alliances, and a clear message: without family farming, there will be no sustainable food systems.

You can consult the agenda here.

  Date: April 9, 2025
Time: 14:00 – 16:00 (CET)
Languages: Interpretation available in Spanish, English, and French
Access the webinar!

See the agenda and meet the speakers

 In preparation for COP30, join us to:

• Learn about climate finance mechanisms like carbon markets, REDD+ and blended finance, including successful examples.
• Interact with experts who understand the specific needs of family farmers.
• Connect with other family farming organisations facing similar challenges.

WHY IS THIS WEBINAR IMPORTANT?

“How can my organization actually access climate finance?” This question is repeatedly raised by family farmers and their organizations worldwide. While international climate finance mechanisms mobilize billions of dollars, these resources rarely reach those who need them most in an accessible and effective manner.

Family farming plays a critical role in our food systems, producing around 50% of global food calories and supporting the livelihoods of 2.5 billion people. At the same time, family farmers face disproportionate impacts from extreme weather events. Ensuring equitable access to climate finance is essential for adaptation and resilience-building.

This international webinar, hosted by the World Rural Forum and supported by the Forest and Farm Facility, will provide a comprehensive overview of the climate finance landscape, exploring alternatives beyond traditional public funding sources, including:

• Public policies to leverage climate finance (REDD+ and ecological transition cluster): Examples of public policy to mobilise climate finance.
• Carbon markets: Discussion to learn how carbon markets operate and how family farming could potentially engage with carbon projects in the agricultural sector.
• Blended finance: Strategic combinations of public and private funds to enhance impact and share risks in climate-focused projects.

  Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation!

  Access the webinar!

Share your questions in advance! Email cbarrazueta@ruralforum.org

Rural women and women family farmers are the protagonists of our food system but still face structural barriers.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Rural Women in Action Network launches the campaign “Rural Women in Action: Building a Sustainable Future,” aiming to highlight their key role in transforming food systems, environmental sustainability, and rural development.

Rural women represent almost half of the labor force in agriculture, yet they face limitations in access to land, financing, and decision-making participation. The campaign emphasizes the need for inclusive public policies to ensure their economic autonomy and equity in family farming.

Key messages:

Land and resources for rural women
Valuing the work of women family farmers
Greater participation in decision-making
Access to technology and co-innovation for them
Equity in climate action

  It’s time to act

Share this campaign and amplify the voice of rural women and family farmers.
Promote equity policies in family farming.
Support initiatives for access to land and financing for women farmers.
Promote their leadership in decision-making.

Because without rural women, there is no sustainable future. #8M #RuralWomenInAction #BuildingASustainableFuture

Check here for full campaign information.

RURAL WOMEN IN ACTION NETWORK

Since 2019, the WRF has collaborated with its members and allies to develop Pillar 3, “Promote gender equity in family farming and the leadership role of rural women” of the UNDFF Global Action Plan through a participatory process.

These efforts include events such as participation in La Marcha das Margaridas (Brazil) since 2019 and the establishment of the Rural Women in Action Network, which is comprised of women leaders from regional and national family farming organizations coming together to share experiences, advances, and strategies in the struggle for women’s rights across all continents. The WRF has also developed a training program aimed at amplifying the skills and leadership capacities of women family farmers in the design of public policies with a gender approach. These crucial activities have provided platforms for sharing experiences and strategies in the strive for rural women’s rights worldwide.

In 2024, the Rural Women in Action Network presented the Final Declaration of the International Meeting of Rural Women, held in Brazil, in the framework of La Marcha das Margaridas 2023, aiming to consolidate networking, alliances and collaboration. ensuring that the views of rural women are included in the different decision-making forums that address the challenges affecting family farming, food systems transformation, the reduction of inequalities and the sustainability of the planet.

December 20, 2024.- The World Rural Forum (WRF) has taken a significant step in its collaboration with the European Commission by starting the implementation of a four-year project designed to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) in promoting policy frameworks that support equitable rural development and enhance the contribution of family farmers in addressing global challenges and achieving the SDGs.

This joint effort, backed by the Framework Collaboration Agreement signed between WRF and the European Union in 2023, highlights the commitment of both entities to address global challenges related to family farming and sustainability.

This project, which involves six WRF members from different continents—AFA, AsiaDHRRA, COPROFAM, INADES, PIFON and PROPAC—focuses on creating a more robust network that coordinates advocacy actions and ensures the effective participation of organizations in policy formulation at the global, regional, and national levels.

Among its objectives is alignment with the United Nations Decade of Family Farming 2019-2028 (UNDFF) and other key agendas such as sustainable food systems, climate change, biodiversity protection, and the 2030 Agenda.
Collaboration with the European Commission not only provides the necessary funding but also strengthens the legitimacy and reach of WRF and its members’ initiatives.

The project has already started to bear fruit:

• The World Rural Forum (WRF), in collaboration with various family farmers organizations (AFA, PDRR, COPROFAM, PROPAC, PIFON), produced the report “United Nations Decade of Family Farming 2019-2028 (UNDFF) – Milestones and Perspectives,” which provides a balance of the first five years of the Decade’s implementation. In 2024, WRF also began the process of developing its new strategic plan for the period 2025-2028.

WRF and the organizations involved in the project—AFA, AsiaDHRRA, COPROFAM, INADES, PIFON, and PROPAC—are committed to working jointly with the EU and other stakeholders, including governments and donors, to maximize the project’s impact and contribute to more sustainable and equitable rural development.

17^th November 2024.– Hunger and poverty remain significant global challenges, impacting millions worldwide and posing serious threats to stability, public health, and environmental sustainability. In response to these pressing issues, the World Rural Forum (WRF) joins the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, an initiative launched under the Brazilian G20 Presidency.

“The World Rural Forum is honored to join the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty as a founding member. Family farmers are the backbone of our food systems, producing 80% of the world’s food in value. As part of our commitment, the World Rural Forum will collaborate with the Alliance’s members to expand effective family farming policies and programs that support food security, poverty reduction, and sustainable rural livelihoods,” said Martin Uriarte, President of the World Rural Forum (WRF).

The WRF will contribute its expertise to the Knowledge Pillar, focusing specifically on policy analysis, knowledge-sharing, and training to strengthen family farmer initiatives within the Alliance. By promoting innovative policies and building local capacities, WRF aims to improve rural livelihoods, protect the environment, and create a lasting impact on hunger and poverty worldwide.

The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty unites governments, civil society, development banks, and other organizations in a shared mission to eradicate hunger and poverty (SDGs 1 and 2) while addressing inequality (SDG 10). The Alliance provides a robust platform to mobilize resources, coordinate efforts, and support country-led solutions that address the needs of those most affected by hunger and poverty. By fostering collaboration and leveraging its members’ expertise and resources, the Alliance aims to drive large-scale, impactful actions that promote sustainable development and social inclusion.

“The strength of the Global Alliance lies in our shared commitment to address the root causes of hunger and poverty. Working with dedicated partners like the World Rural Forum, we can empower family farmers and rural communities to drive sustainable change from the ground up,” noted Wellington Dias, Minister of Social Development and Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger of Brazil.

This initiative will formally launch at the G20 Summit (18-19 November 2024) with founding members affirming their commitment to this urgent cause.

Baku, November 11, 2024 – Amid a global climate crisis, the World Rural Forum (WRF) is participating in the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, which takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 10 to 22. This event is of particular significance for family farmers organisations, as one of the central themes of COP29 is climate financing, aimed at securing meaningful resources for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

At COP29, WRFs’ family farmers organisations will convey a clear message: with MORE and BETTER financing for family farmers, sustainable and climate-resilient food systems can be achieved.

Family farmers produce more than 80% of the world’s food by value and already invest approximately $368 billion annually from their own pockets in climate adaptation. Yet, small-scale family farmers receive only 0.3% of international climate financing, limiting their ability to expand sustainable practices that they are already implementing in their communities.

In addition to increasing the amount of funding, it is equally critical to enhance the quality of these funds. Fair and equitable partnerships must be established, in which family farmers are also recognized as strategic partners in designing and implementing financing instruments.

TOWARDS FINANCING THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF FAMILY FARMERS

Family farmers organisations possess the experience, infrastructure, and commitment necessary to drive climate resilience, but the current structure of international financing falls short. It is crucial to adapt these funds to the specific needs of family farmers organisations and strengthen their technical and administrative capacities.

To address these challenges, WRF calls for the creation of a Global Fund for Family Farmers Resilience as a dedicated mechanism tailored to the unique needs of family farms.

Moreover, it is essential for policies and plans to be developed not only FOR but WITH family farmers and their organisations. This approach will ensure that financing supports agroecological solutions and sustainable practices that family farmers have already begun implementing, which need to be scaled up to maximize their impact.

COP29 AND THE NEED FOR INCLUSIVE FINANCING

COP29 offers a crucial opportunity for governments and international entities to not only acknowledge the essential role of family farmers but also to establish tangible and effective commitments in terms of climate financing. In this regard, WRF, along with member family farmers organisations like COPROFAM, ESAFF and PDRR, calls on both public and private entities to recognize family farmers as a key allies in building sustainable and climate-resilient food systems. An inclusive political environment is crucial to enable family farmers to play an active role in the design and implementation of climate policies and financing mechanisms.

WRF’S KEY EVENTS AT COP29

To amplify these messages, WRF and family farmers organisations will participate in several key events at COP29:

• November 14: Leveraging Science to Finance Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems – Co-organized by WRF, CGIAR, PLACA, and WFO.
• November 16: Unlocking Access to Climate Finance: evidence from research and family farmers’ experience – Co-organized by WRF, OXFAM, and COPROFAM.
• November 18: Putting food on the table: Family Farmers at the heart of Climate Action – Co-organized by WRF, AFA, COPROFAM, ESAFF, INOFO, ILC, PAFO, PDRR, PFO, and PROPAC (#ActiononFood Hub).
• November 19 – Food Day at COP29: Farmer-led Event on Harmoniya grassroots-link Making Climate Finance Work for Farmers: On-farm experiences and concrete solutions – Co-organized by WRF, AFA, Farmers Forum, PAFO, and WFO.

Cali, October 28, 2024 – As part of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the city of Cali, Colombia, is hosting COP16 from October 21 to November 1, a pivotal event for global biodiversity protection. Having obtained official observer status at the CBD in 2024, the WRF is closely monitoring negotiations and participating in several key events, including the official Presidential event for Food Day at COP16 (October 28).

During these days, WRF’s family farmers’ organizations, AFA, COPROFAM and INOFO, are working to highlight and strengthen the critical role of family farmers in biodiversity conservation and climate action. Their efforts emphasize the need for greater support to enhance sustainable initiatives they already implement, such as seed exchange systems and crop diversification. These agroecological practices hold vast potential for protecting biodiversity globally and must be bolstered to meet both climate and conservation challenges.

This COP is taking place amid growing awareness of the biodiversity crisis and presents a vital opportunity to reshape conservation and sustainability strategies. Since October 21, negotiations have centered on implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022, focusing on setting progress indicators and exploring real solutions to fund the Framework’s objectives.

What Do Family Farmers Have to Say?

Family farmers play a crucial role in preserving much of the world’s agrobiodiversity. Therefore, it is essential to amplify their voices in international discussions, emphasizing:

1. Recognition of family farmers as a catalysts for biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation, respecting and acknowledging their on-the-ground experiences
2. Active participation in policy processes and decision-making. Policies must be developed not just FOR family farmers but WITH them. Their involvement in forums like COPs is essential to shape global decisions.
3. Direct financing to scale up best practices. In line with global agreements on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, MORE and BETTER financing is needed to expand family farmers’ initiatives and improve global biodiversity.

Supporting family farmers helps aggregate diverse products from varied landscapes, fostering biodiversity-friendly practices like agroecology. This is crucial for achieving the Global Biodiversity Framework’s goals, especially Target 10.

Aligned with the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF), which recognizes the intrinsic link between family farming and biodiversity conservation (A/RES/72/239), particularly through Pillars 6 and 7 of its Global Action Plan, family farmers must be recognized as a key partners in building sustainable and climate-resilient food systems. Moreover, it is vital to strengthen family farming’s multidimensional role to promote policies that protect food systems and biodiversity.

A Path for the Three Rio Conventions

When family farmers commit to agroecology, they do not merely adopt practices to protect biodiversity, address climate change, or combat desertification. Instead, they create diversified agroecosystems that tackle all these challenges simultaneously.

Take the example of Alfredo and Gladys, two Colombian farmers who left city life to become self-sufficient through agroecological farming on their half-hectare plot. They developed a diversified agroecosystem with over 200 plant species, livestock, and beehives, addressing major global challenges. For instance, their farm’s vegetation cools the area by up to 9 degrees Celsius during heatwaves, and their use of organic fertilizers, derived from animal manure and crop residues, aids in moisture retention and carbon sequestration in their soils. This holistic approach demonstrates how family farmers’ solutions can address multiple global issues at once.

With this comprehensive vision, WRF will continue its efforts at the upcoming Climate Change Convention in Baku in November and the Desertification Convention in Saudi Arabia in December. Across all three conventions, WRF will advocate for increased support and recognition of family farmers as vital allies in addressing interconnected global challenges.

In summary, WRF’s participation in COP16 marks the first of three COPs, with a clear goal: to have family farmers and their organizations recognized as essential partners in the global challenge of sustainability. It is critical to ensure that the voices of those who produce 80% of the world’s food are included in decisions that will shape the planet’s future.

The WRFs’ delegation of family farmers’ organizations at COP16 in Cali is participating in several noteworthy events. Below are some we consider of interest:

• Oct 28: Official Food Day at COP16 – FAO Joint SESSION 2. Empowering farmers and Indigenous People as stewards of biodiversity for food and agriculture
• Oct 29: Common Ground on Regenerative Agriculture for a Sustainable Future: Screening & Farmers Dialogue

Past event:

• Oct 25: Harnessing Agroecology, Agrobiodiversity, and Family Farming to Transform Food Systems and Halt Biodiversity Loss – Session Recording