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Media advisory | 5 November 2021

IFAD Goodwill Ambassadors Idris and Sabrina Elba attend COP26 to advocate for increased investments in climate adaptation and biodiversity protection

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Media contact
Caroline Chaumont

Communication and Media Outreach Officer

[email protected]

Glasgow, 05 November 2021 – As climate negotiations enter a crucial phase, Idris and Sabrina Elba, UN Goodwill Ambassadors for the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), will attend COP26 to advocate for increased investments to help small-scale farmers to adapt to climate change and to protect biodiversity.

Gilbert F. Houngbo, President of IFAD, will also be in Glasgow to participate in high-level events to highlight how small-scale farmers can adapt to a changing climate and why investments are urgently needed to ensure their survival and an uninterrupted supply of global food.

Last week, IFAD warned that COP26 will fail to achieve a lasting impact if world leaders continue to neglect investments in climate adaptation.

WHEN: 6 to 12 November 2021

WHAT: Media briefing, COP26 events and events at IFAD Pavilion (PV66 / zone 4C) - Media can join virtually or in person and ask questions.

6 November 11:00-11.30 (GMT): Idris & Sabrina Elba on achieving sustainable & prosperous food systems - media briefing

Join a media briefing with IFAD’s Goodwill Ambassadors, Idris and Sabrina Elba, IFAD President, Gilbert F. Houngbo, and Conservation International CEO, M. Sanjayan, on how we can feed ten billion humans without destroying the habitable planet.
UNFCCC Press Conference Room Giant's Causeway, Area H (Blue Zone). Register

8 November, 15:00-16:15 (GMT) - Great Green Wall: Promoting Transformational Change to accelerate the implementation of the Great Green Wall initiative - COP26 official event

The Sahel is heavily affected by climate change, poverty, hunger and conflict, and a lack adaptation capacity and resources. High Level representatives from countries who belong to the Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative and leaders from international partners, including IFAD’s President, will present innovations and progress to accelerate the implementation of the GGW initiative, and achieve its objectives of restoring 100 million hectares of currently degraded lands, sequestering 250 million tons of carbon and creating 10 million jobs in rural areas by 2030.

Lomond Amphitheater – Seating is limited, see contact below to register

9 November 12:00-13.15 (GMT): Rural Voices: On Air Dialogues with the people behind your plate – IFAD event

Rural farmers are disproportionately impacted by climate change, but are usually absent from global summits. IFAD and Farm Radio International partnered to survey opinions from thousands of farmers in four African countries. In this event, discover the power of radio to reach some the world’s most remote rural farmers, and hear their aspirations, concerns, and solutions. IFAD President Gilbert F. Houngbo will open the event.

Register Seating limited at IFAD pavilion – see contact below to book

With more than 30 interactive events hosted at its pavilion until 11 November, IFAD is bringing the voices, experiences and solutions of small-scale producers to COP26, and will highlight how they can adapt to a changing climate. Consult the full list of IFAD Pavilion Events. Follow webcast or register

For questions, interview requests and to book seating at IFAD pavillion contact:

Caroline Chaumont

[email protected]

Mobile: +393496620155 / +39 3316370953


Media Advisory n. MA/13/2021

IFAD invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience. Since 1978, we have provided US$23.2 billion in grants and low-interest loans to projects that have reached an estimated 518 million people. IFAD is an international financial institution and a United Nations specialized agency based in Rome – the United Nations food and agriculture hub.

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