Tarawa, Kiribati, Friday July 2, 2021 – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) contributed insights on climate smart agriculture during Kiribati’s first National Food Systems Dialogue, held from June 28 to July 02, 2021. The Honorable Minister for the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development (MELAD), Mr. Ruateki Tekaiara, officiated the plenary session of the Dialogue in the presence of His Excellency Te Beretitenti Mr. Taneti Maamau, President of Kiribati.
The Honorable Minister for the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development (MELAD), Mr. Ruateki Tekaiara delivering his opening remarks
In his opening address, the Honorable Minister challenged participants to seek out “the best ways that can transform the way we produce, process, distribute and consume our food while at the same time ensure the sustainability of our Kiribati’s fragile ecosystem”.
Kiribati faces a number of food security-related challenges including high malnutrition and mortality in children under five which can be combated with improved variety of nutritious food. Secondly, high dependence on imported foodstuffs can be addressed by increasing domestic food production.
The Dialogue showed the interconnectedness of the food systems, and how improvements in one area could also benefit human and environmental health, disaster recovery, and resilience against the effects of climate change.
Nutrition and Diet group from ALD, Nutrition, UNICEF and Fisheries officials display nutritious locally grown fruits and vegetables for healthier living
The Food Systems Dialogue, led by MELAD aims to address these challenges and help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. The four pillars of the Food Systems; Production, Processing, Distribution and Consumption all take into account the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.
The Dialogue was supported by many partners including GGGI, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
During the plenary session, GGGI presented on its new Kiribati Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) project. The CSA project is a national collaboration between MELAD and GGGI with support from the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD). The goal of the three-year project is to strengthen the capacity and resilience of the agriculture systems in Kiribati. The project is taking a cross-cutting approach targeting the agriculture, food security, livelihoods, health and nutrition aspects that all lead to a healthy population.
In partnership with the Government of Kiribati, GGGI is also developing an Action Plan to support the implementation of the Kiribati Agriculture Strategy that was adopted by Kiribati’s Cabinet in 2020. This work is being delivered as part of the GGGI regional Low Emissions Climate Resilient Development (LECRD) program funded by the Government of New Zealand.
Display from community representatives on local planting materials available to grow for food and nutrition security
Through additional support from QFFD, GGGI is also supporting green entrepreneurship in Kiribati as part of a new regional Pacific Green Entrepreneurship Network program. “These projects and activities will contribute to strengthening food security in Kiribati by turning sustainable agriculture sector plans and strategies into impactful actions and results,” said Ross Craven, GGGI Program Officer in Kiribati.
GGGI will implement the three projects in Kiribati with support from Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development (MELAD).
The first National Food Systems Dialogue, was held at the Kiribati Uniting Church Blacklock Maneaba, Antebuka.
About the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in Kiribati
Kiribati is a founding member of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). MELAD hosts the GGGI in their Bikenibeu Office. GGGI is an intergovernmental organization that supports member country governments transition to a model of economic growth that is environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. GGGI delivers programs in 39 partner countries. GGGI provides technical support, capacity building, policy planning & implementation, and is helping to build a pipeline of bankable green investment projects. More on GGGI’s events, projects and publications can be found on www.gggi.org. You can also follow GGGI on Twitter and join us on Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Rajnil Prasad
Senior Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Project Management Officer
Rajnil.prasad@gggi.org
Ross Craven
Country Project Officer
ross.craven@gggi.org
(GGGI Seoul HQ)
Hee Kyung Son, Communications Lead
+82 70-7117-9957
H.Son@GGGI.org