09:00–09:20

Opening of the Forum 

Welcoming remarks  

Overview of the SCF Forum objectives and expected outcomes 

Welcoming remarks

SCF Co-Chairs
Ambassador Diann Black-Layne (Antigua and Barbuda)       
Apollonia Miola (European Union)       
 

Opening remarks

Kaveh Zahedi, ^(bio) Director, Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, FAO

09:20–10:10















 

Session 1: Understanding Interlinkages and Regional Contexts – Climate, Agriculture, Food systems and Food security  

This session will explore the critical interconnections between climate change, agriculture, food systems, and food security, highlighting the essential role of finance in driving sustainable development and climate action. It will underscore the importance of tailoring financing strategies to diverse regional contexts and elevate the voices of smallholder farmers—communities on the frontlines of climate change—by addressing the unique challenges they face.

 

Moderator: Elena Pereira, SCF co-facilitator 

• Scene-setting presentation
  Kaveh Zahedi, Director, Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, FAO
  Interlinkages of climate, agriculture, food systems and food security; and state of play on climate finance for agrifood systems.  
  Presentation 
   
• Country case study presentation
  Tekini Nakidakida, Ministry of Agriculture, Fiji
   Regional contexts and experiences in financing agrifood    systems 
  Presentation

• Farmers community/cooperative representative
  Tamara Toria, ^(bio) Executive Director of the Georgian Farmers’ Association 
  Challenges faced by them in accessing finance and role of farmers and local communities in transforming agrifood systems 
   
• Domestic financial institution 
  Mr. Shaji K. V., ^(bio)  Chairman National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, India
  Enabling access to finance for farmers and local agrifood actors through tailored financial products and delivery models.
• Multilateral Development Bank
  Ms. Pieternel Boogaard, ^(bio)  Managing Director
  International Fund for Agricultural Development 
  Empowering agrarian economies, enhancing food security and sustainable development. 

Open discussions

10:30–11:15

Session 2: Scaling-up Finance for Sustainable Food Systems and Agriculture– Advancing Climate Action and Resilience and Global Food Security  

This session will examine the critical role of finance in transforming food systems to be more sustainable, low-emission and climate resilient. The discussion will highlight key means of implementation—mobilizing adequate finance, promoting inclusive access to technology and innovation, and investing in capacity building at all levels—to enable effective and equitable transitions in food and agriculture systems, in the context of adaptation, mitigation and loss and damage.

 

Moderator: Oliver Gales,  SCF co-facilitator   

Panellists 

• Country case study
  Marcelo Morandi, ^(bio)  Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Brazil
  Financing sustainable food systems and agriculture in the context of climate action and highlighting key policy and governance aspects.  

• Sub-national representative
  Juan Carlos Jintiach, Shuar ^(bio)  People of the Ecuadorian Amazon, Executive Secretary of Global Alliance of Territorial Communities
  Efforts to strengthening ability of local governments, smallholder farmers, and food system actors to access climate finance.
  Presentation 

• A global collaboration or partnership
  Andrea Porro, ^(bio) Secretary General, World Farmers Organization
  Approaches to align financing with regional needs and global priorities food systems and agriculture 
   
• Multilateral Development Bank
  William Sutton, ^(bio) Global Lead for Climate Smart Agriculture, Agriculture and Fodd Global Practice, World Bank
  Supporting long-term food security. 

Open discussions 

Group #1: Tailoring Finance to Regional and Local Needs  

This group will discuss how climate finance can be adapted to different regional and local realities in agriculture and food systems. It will highlight successful models and lessons learned for financing climate-resilient and sustainable practices across diverse contexts. 

Group 1A (Plenary Room)

Discussion leader 
Azzurra Massimino, Deputy Lead, Climate and Resilience Service, WFP

Group 1B (Room Ethiopia)

Ice-breaker
Rafik Aini, A member of Facilitative Working Group, Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform

Discussion leader 
Sofia Vargas, Columbia

Group #2: Unlocking Climate Finance for Scaled-up Investments for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems

This group will discuss how public and private finance can support shifts toward sustainable, resilient, and low-emission agriculture and food systems. It will examine institutional, technical, and policy barriers hindering finance flows and discuss strategies to strengthen investment, innovation, and inclusive access. 

Group 2A (Nigeria)

Ice-breaker
Edgar Aguilar, Value Chain Resilience Specialist, UNDP

Discussion leader 
Ben Abraham, ^(bio) Talanoa Institute

Group 2B (Room Malaysia)

Discussion leader 
Isobel Bartholomew, UK

Moderator: Oliver Gales, SCF co-facilitator

Breakout group discussion leaders 

14:00–14:45 





 

Session 3: Strengthening Policy Coherence and Linkages 

 This session will explore how to strengthen policy and institutional coordination to increase and better align climate finance with sustainable food systems, agriculture and food security. It will examine opportunities to integrate food systems into national climate strategies, reform financial incentives, and improve coherence between public policies, climate goals, and international frameworks.  

Moderator: Piedad Martin, ^(bio) Deputy Director, Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, FAO   

Panellists 

• Government perspectives 
  H.E. Abubakar Kyari, Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Nigeria 
  National experiences in integrating sustainable agriculture into national planning NDCs/NAPs, and aligning and optimizing sectoral policies 
   
• Multilateral Climate Fund  
  Peter Umunay, Thematic Lead, Food Systems and Land Use, Global Environment Facility 
  How MCF financing strategies align with and increase finance flows towards national plans and what support they provide for policy and institutional coherence.
    
• UN/IGO on policy alignment  
  Chiara Falduto, ^(bio) Policy Analyst, OECD 
  Analytical insights and data on aligning subsidies, fiscal policy, and climate planning with sustainability goals.
   
• Civil society or farmer network representative, who can highlight grassroots perspectives on how participatory policy making can support coherence and inclusivity. 
  Dianne Sibanda, ^(bio) Founder and President of the Botswana Farmers’ Association 
  Presentation

Open discussions

Group 1: Aligning Climate Strategies and Finance with Agricultural Policies for Greater Impact 

This group will discuss how climate finance strategies can be aligned with agricultural and food security policies, including NDCs, NAPs, and national development plans. It will examine approaches to strengthen coherence across ministries, integrate ecosystem-based solutions and food security into climate planning, and ensure that policies work together to drive investment and impact on the ground. 

Group 1A (Plenary Room)

Discussion leader 
Ivan Zambrana Flores, ^(bio) Climate Change Expert, Bolivia

Group 1B (Room Ethiopia)

Discussion leader  
Roland Sundstrom, ^(bio) Practice Lead of Program Delivery, CGAIR

Group 2: Repurposing Public Support and Subsidies for Sustainable Food Systems and Agriculture 

This group will discuss the challenges and opportunities involved in reforming agricultural subsidies and enhancing public incentives to better promote sustainability, resilience, and equity. It will examine country experiences, policy tools, and accountability mechanisms to ensure that both public and private finance support just transitions in food systems and agriculture, while moving away from unsustainable practices. 

Group 2A (Nigeria)

Ice-breaker
Ambassador Nosipho Nausca-Jean Jezile, Chair, Committee on World Food Security

Discussion leader 
Herwig Ranner,  ^(bio)  European Commission

Group 2B (Room Malaysia)

Ice-breaker
Claire McConnell, ^(bio) Policy Advisor, Economic Law and Policy Program, IISD

Discussion leader 
Petrus Muteyauli, SCF Member

Moderator: Piedad Martin, FAO 

Breakout group discussion leaders 

9:30–10:30 




 

Session 4: Leveraging Financing Sources and Instruments for Long-term Investments in Sustainable Food Systems and Agriculture 

This session will focus on how various financial sources and instruments—public, private, blended and innovative—can be mobilized to scale up climate finance for sustainable food systems and agriculture. It will explore how to enhance the effectiveness, sustainability, and inclusiveness of these sources and instruments and identify key actors and enabling conditions. It will also explore instruments for the agriculture and food security sector in responding to climate-induced loss and damage.

Moderator:

Panellists 

• Asis Perez, ^(bio)  Undersecretary, Department of Agriculture, Philippines
  Challenges and opportunities in mobilizing and coordinating public and private finance at the national level, including public finance strategies and policy incentives. 
  Presentation
   
• Henry Gonzalez, Chief Investment Officer, Green Climate Fund Secretariat (Virtual) 
  How public and concessional finance can be used to catalyze private investment, including through blended finance approaches and de-risking mechanisms.  
   
• Brian Lindsay, ^(bio)  Director, Dairy Sustainability Framework
  Insights into investor expectations, ESG criteria, and the enabling conditions needed to increase investment in sustainable agriculture and food systems. 
   
• Cristian Barrazueta Haro, ^(bio)  Climate and Biodiversity Officer at the WRF 
  On whether financing instruments are reaching local actors and meeting their needs, and suggest how to make instruments more inclusive and impactful. 

Group 1: Leveraging Public and Private Sources for Mobilizing Scaled-Up Investments 

This group will discuss how public and private finance can be mobilized to scale up investment in sustainable food systems and agriculture. It will consider how various sources and instruments can expand access for farmers and local actors, attract private investment, and promote long-term impact. 

Group 1A (Plenary Room)

Ice-breaker
Nancy Mugimba, ^(bio) National Coordinator for Uganda, Eastern and Southern African Small Scale Farmers Forum

Discussion leader  
Helena Wright, Policy Director, FAIRR Initiative

Group 1B (Room Ethiopia)

Ice-breaker 
Peter Defranceschi, ^(bio)  Head of Brussels Office, ICLEI Secretariat

Discussion leader  
Raju Pandit, ^(bio)  Nepal

Group 2: Leveraging Partnerships and Innovation for Equitable and Scalable Solutions  

This group will discuss how partnerships—such as public-private initiatives, multilateral collaboration, and community finance models—and financial innovations can mobilize sustainable, long-term investments for food systems and agriculture. It will discuss how cross-sector collaboration and innovative financing approaches can drive scalable, inclusive, and climate-resilient solutions tailored to local needs. 

Group 2A (Nigeria)

Ice-breaker
Tobias Gras, ^(bio) Head of Policy, Brussels, Danish Agriculture and Food Council

Discussion leader  
Katja Vuori, CEO, Alliance of Agri-Agencies and the International Forum of Farmer Organisations

Group 2B (Room Malaysia)

Ice-breaker 
Alessia Mortara, Global Policy Director, Food and Land Use Coalition

Discussion leader  
Karima Oustadi, SCF member

12:00–13:00 

Moderator
Gabriel Blatter, SCF member

Breakout group discussion leaders 

13:00–14:00 

Networking lunch 

14:00–15:00 

Session 5: Building Readiness and Capacity for Accessing Finance for Sustainable Food Systems and Agriculture  

This session will focus on strengthening readiness and capacity at national and local levels to facilitate access to finance. It will explore possible readiness areas – such as inclusive financial systems, community-based delivery models, and data and monitoring capacities – and ways to strengthen institutional and technical assistance to support them.  
 

Group 1B

Moderator 
Hashem Hamawi, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Group 1B 

Ice breaker 
Britta Horstmann, Member of the Adaptation Committee 

Moderator
Patriciah Roy, SCF member

Panellists 

• Shuaib Al-Zaghir, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, Yemen 
  Practical experiences in building institutional and technical readiness to access climate finance, including coordination across ministries and levels of government. 
   
• Taily Terena, Young Indigenous Leader on Climate Change, Women’s Rights and Food Security of the International Indian Treaty Council. The role of local delivery models and inclusive financial systems in reaching underserved communities, especially smallholder farmers and women.  
   
• Ruth Hill, Director of the Markets, Trade, and Institutions Unit, International Food Policy Research Institute 
  Lessons on building data systems, finance tracking, and improving transparency and accountability in the use of climate finance. 

• Anna Salminen, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Finland   
  Approaches to strengthening technical capacities and supporting farmers and community actors in designing bankable projects and navigating access procedures.
   

Open discussions 

Group 1: Strengthening Institutional and Technical Capacities

This group will discuss how to strengthen institutional and technical capacities at all levels to improve access to financing for sustainable food systems and agriculture. It will highlight challenges and possible solutions for overcoming readiness and capacity gaps in project design, financial governance and stakeholder coordination. 

Group 1A (Plenary Room)

Ice-breaker 
Justice Issah Surugu Musah, Adaptation Fund Board Secretariat

Discussion leader
Gareth Philipps, AfDB

Group 1B (Room Ethiopia)

Ice-breaker
Serin Oh, Climate Risk Finance & Policy, UNU 

Britta Hostmann, Member of the Adaptation Committee (virtual)

Discussion leader 
Hashem Hamawi, Saudi Arabia
 

Group 2: Inclusive Access and Community-Based Delivery Models

This group will discuss how inclusive financial systems and community-based approaches – such as cooperatives, rural banks, and local savings groups – can facilitate access to finance for smallholder farmers, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, youth and women. It will also consider how participatory financing models and decentralized mechanisms can be scaled and sustained.

Group 2A (Nigeria)

Ice-breaker
Lany Rebagay, Policy Advocacy Officer and Deputy Secretary General, Asian Farmers Association for Sustainable Rural Development.

Discussion leader 
Diann Black-Layne, SCF member
 

Group 2B (Room Malaysia)

Discussion leader 
Carolina Merighi, Programme Management Officer, United Nations Environment Programme

Moderator
Patriciah Roy, SCF member

Breakout group discussion leaders 

Closing remarks:

• Ambassador Barroso Carneiro, Permanent Representative of Brazil to FAO, COP 30 Presidency
   
• SCF co-facilitators