Issues related to agriculture and food security

Credit: CC0

Background

The Conference of the Parties at its twenty-seventh session, held in Sharm El Sheikh in 2022, adopted decision 3/CP.27 on the "Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security". This four-year joint work includes implementation of the outcomes of the Koronivia joint work on agriculture and previous activities addressing issues related to agriculture, as well as future topics, recognizing that solutions are context-specific and take into account national circumstances, with the following objectives:

(a) Promoting a holistic approach to addressing issues related to agriculture and food security, taking into consideration regional, national and local circumstances, in order to deliver a range of multiple benefits, where applicable, such as adaptation, adaptation co-benefits and mitigation, recognizing that adaptation is a priority for vulnerable groups, including women, indigenous peoples and small-scale farmers;

(b) Enhancing coherence, synergies, coordination, communication and interaction between Parties, constituted bodies and workstreams, the operating entities of the Financial Mechanism, the Adaptation Fund, the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund in order to facilitate the implementation of action to address issues related to agriculture and food security;

(c) Promoting synergies and strengthening engagement, collaboration and partnerships among national, regional and international organizations and other relevant stakeholders, as well as under relevant processes and initiatives, in order to enhance the implementation of climate action to address issues related to agriculture and food security;

(d) Providing support and technical advice to Parties, constituted bodies and the operating entities of the Financial Mechanism on climate action to address issues related to agriculture and food security, respecting the Party-driven approach and in accordance with their respective procedures and mandates;

(e) Enhancing research and development on issues related to agriculture and food security and consolidating and sharing related scientific, technological and other information, knowledge (including local and indigenous knowledge), experience, innovations and best practices;

(f) Evaluating progress in implementing and cooperating on climate action to address issues related to agriculture and food security;

(g) Sharing information and knowledge on developing and implementing national policies, plans and strategies related to climate change, while recognizing country-specific needs and contexts;

This page gives an overview of activities under the Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security and provides links to the relevant documents. It is complemented by the Sharm el-Sheikh online portal which the Conference of the Parties established for sharing information on projects, initiatives and policies for increasing opportunities for implementation of climate action to address issues related to agriculture and food security.

Outlook for COP31 (November 2026)

At their sixty-fifth sessions (November 2026) in Antalya, Türkiye, the SBSTA and the SBI will continue their consideration of the Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security (pursuant to decision 3/CP.27, paragraph 14).

They are in particular requested by decision 3/CP.27, paragraph 20 to report to the Conference of the Parties on the progress and outcomes of the joint work.

As per the roadmap agreed by the SBSTA and the SBI in June 2024, they will also consider the report on the second in-session workshop under the joint-work on progress, challenges and opportunities related to identifying needs and accessing means of implementation for climate action in agriculture and food security, including sharing of best practices.

Further, at their sixty-fourth sessions (June 2026), the SBSTA and the SBI agreed to continue at their sixty-fifth sessions the consideration of:

the report on the first in-session workshop on systemic and holistic approaches to implementation of climate action on agriculture, food systems and food security, understanding, cooperation and integration into plans
the second annual synthesis report on the work undertaken by constituted bodies and financial and other entities under the Convention, as well as by relevant international organizations, on activities related to the joint work.

SB 64 (June 2026)

At their sixty-fourth sessions (June 2026), the SBSTA and the SBI continued their consideration of the Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security (pursuant to decision 3/CP.27, paragraph 14).

The SBSTA and the SBI agreed to continue at their 65^th sessions the consideration of the report on the first in-session workshop on systemic and holistic approaches to implementation of climate action on agriculture, food systems and food security, understanding, cooperation and integration into plans and the second annual synthesis report on the work undertaken by constituted bodies and financial and other entities under the Convention, as well as by relevant international organizations, on activities related to the joint work.

The SBSTA and the SBI noted with appreciation that Parties are increasingly including climate action on agriculture, food systems and food security in their national strategies, plans, programmes and policies in accordance with national circumstances and priorities, and encouraged them to continue to do so.

The SBSTA and the SBI underscored the role that the Sharm el-Sheikh online portal can play in facilitating collaboration, the sharing of knowledge, and matchmaking for funding in relation to climate action on agriculture and food security.

The SBSTA and the SBI invited the constituted bodies and the operating entities of the Financial Mechanism to take into account the outcomes of the joint work in implementing their actions and workplans, according to their mandates.

The SBSTA and the SBI conclusions capture the outcomes of the sessions.

As per the roadmap agreed by the SBSTA and the SBI in June 2024, the secretariat also organized an in-session workshop in hybrid format on progress, challenges and opportunities related to identifying needs and accessing means of implementation for climate action in agriculture and food security, including sharing of best practices, on 8-10 June. An on-demand webcast of the workshop, as well as presentations and statements by workshop participants are available on the workshop event page.

Beforehand, parties and observers were invited to submit by 1 March 2026 their views on the subject of the workshop, options for its format and suggested speakers. Submissions received are available on the UNFCCC submission portal.

To inform delegates and stakeholders about the status of the secretariat's mandates under the agenda item ahead of the session, including the upgrade of the Sharm el-Sheikh online portal, the publication of the second annual synthesis report, and the preparation of the in-session workshop, the secretariat organized a webinar on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. Interested stakeholders can find the slides of the webinar at the following link.

SB 63 (November 2025)

At their sixty-third sessions (November 2025), the SBSTA and the SBI continued their consideration of the Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security (pursuant to decision 3/CP.27, paragraph 14).

The SBSTA and the SBI considered the report on the first in-session workshop on Systemic and holistic approaches to implementation of climate action on agriculture, food systems1 and food security, understanding, cooperation and integration into plans, and concluded that more time is needed to conclude the discussion thereon.

The Standing Committee on Finance also made a presentation of the outcomes of the 2025 Standing Committee on Finance Forum on accelerating climate action and resilience through financing for sustainable food systems and agriculture in response to an invitation from the SBSTA and the SBI at their 62^nd sessions.

The SBSTA and the SBI agreed to continue consideration of this matter at their sixty-fourth sessions (June 2026) taking into account the draft text prepared for these agenda items.

The SBSTA and the SBI conclusions capture the outcomes of the sessions.

SB 62 (June 2025)

At their sixty-second sessions (June 2025), the SBSTA and the SBI continued their consideration of the Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security (pursuant to decision 3/CP.27, paragraph 14).

They welcomed the first annual synthesis report on the work undertaken by constituted bodies and financial and other entities under the Convention, as well as by relevant international organizations, on activities related to the joint work and further considered the Sharm el-Sheikh online portal and requested the secretariat to present specific information on how organizations have taken into account decision 3/CP.27 in the second such report to be published in 2026.

As per the roadmap agreed by the SBSTA and the SBI in June 2024, the secretariat also organized an in-session workshop in hybrid format on systemic and holistic approaches to implementation of climate action on agriculture, food systems and food security, understanding, cooperation and integration into plans, on 17 June. An on-demand webcast of the workshop, as well as presentations and statements by workshop participants are available on the workshop event page.

The SBSTA and SBI also welcomed the template for submission to the Sharm el-Sheikh online portal and invited Parties, United Nations organizations and other relevant institutions, agencies and entities, the research community, the private sector, civil society and farmers organizations, among others and as appropriate, to submit via the Sharm el-Sheikh online portal information on their activities in relation to the Sharm el-Sheikh joint work.

The SBSTA and the SBI conclusions capture the outcomes of the sessions.

SB 61 (November 2024)

At their sixty-first sessions (November 2024), the SBSTA and the SBI continued their consideration of the Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security (pursuant to decision 3/CP.27, paragraph 14). They welcomed the presentation on the Sharm el-Sheikh online portal developed by the secretariat. They requested the secretariat to further develop the structure, functionalities and accessibility of the online portal, taking into account the key points from Parties’ presentations and discussions on this matter, and to develop a template for submissions to the online portal, on the basis of the structure agreed by Parties during the session.

The SBSTA and the SBI conclusions capture the outcomes of the sessions.

SB 60 (June 2024)

At their sixtieth sessions (June 2024), the SBSTA and the SBI continued to consider the elements of the Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security (pursuant to decision 3/CP.27, paragraph 14).

They agreed on a substantive road map for the Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security, with a range of agreed activities, including:

Annual synthesis reports to be published for consideration during the first regular SB session each year, on the work undertaken by constituted bodies and financial and other entities under the Convention, as well as by relevant international organizations, on activities related to the joint work;
Two in-session workshops in hybrid format, on the following topics:
- At SB62 (June 2025): Systemic and holistic approaches to implementation of climate action on agriculture, food systems and food security, understanding, cooperation and integration into plans;
- At SB64 (June 2026): Progress, challenges and opportunities related to identifying needs and accessing means of implementation for climate action in agriculture and food security, including sharing of best practices;
A request to the UNFCCC secretariat to develop the Sharm el-Sheikh online portal under the joint work.

The SBSTA and the SBI conclusions capture the outcomes of the sessions

SB59 (November-December 2023)

At their fifty-ninth sessions (November-December 2023), the SBSTA and SBI continued their consideration of the elements of the Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security, pursuant to decision 3/CP.27, paragraph 14.

The SBSTA and SBI agreed that the consideration of this matter will continue at SB 60 (June 2024), taking into account the document prepared at these sessions. The SBSTA and SBI conclusions capture the outcomes of the sessions.

SB 58 (June 2023)

At their fifty-eighth sessions (June 2023), the SBSTA and SBI established the Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security, pursuant to decision 3/CP.27, paragraph 14.

They welcomed the submissions from Parties and observers on the elements of that joint work and on the operationalization of the online portal under it. Finally they agreed to continue consideration of that matter during the next session of the subsidiary bodies.

The SBSTA and SBI conclusions capture the outcomes of the sessions.

COP 27 (November 2022)

At their fifty-seventh sessions (November 2022), the SBSTA and SBI continued consideration of issues related to agriculture. They agreed to recommend to the Conference of the Parties to consider these matters at its twenty-seventh session.

The conference of the Parties continued to consider these matters and adopted a decision (decision 3/CP.27), reporting back on the work done under the Koronivia joint work on agriculture and establishing the four-year Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security as well as the Sharm el-Sheikh online portal under the joint work.