COP28: Gathering Nordic and global experts to put food and health on the agenda
The official side-event in the UNFCCC programme, Health, food and climate - A systems perspective for urgent climate action, on December 11 is an important joint initiative to stress the critical role that food systems play for a green and just transition.
Karen Ellemann, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, is looking forward to the side-event:
“At this year’s COP28, there is a push to focus more on the role of healthy and sustainable food systems for climate action. We at the Nordic Council of Ministers are pleased that we can contribute with Nordic experiences to these important dialogues and ensure that food systems are taken into account."
Decision makers and thought leaders gathered to speed up global action
Transforming our food systems is a strong lever to promote human health and climate action. Our food consumption has vast environmental and climate impact and shows the need to promote healthy and sustainable diets as an important part of food systems transformation.
"Shifting towards more plant-based and sustainable diets can reduce the impact on the environment and mitigate climate change," says Dr Francesco Branca, Director, Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, World Health Organization.
Shifting towards more plant-based and sustainable diets can reduce the impact on the environment and mitigate climate change
This high-level panel at COP28 will increase awareness about the interlinkages between health, food and climate. Kai Mykkänen, Minister of Climate and the Environment, Finland, and Karen Ellemann, Secretary General, Nordic Council of Ministers will both take part in the official side-event.
They will be joined by decision-makers and thought leaders such as Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization; Claire Bury, Deputy Director-General for Food Sustainability, DG Sante, European Commission; Dr Francesco Branca, Director, Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, World Health Organization; H.E. Dr Getahun Garedew Wodaje, Director General of the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority (EEPA); Dr Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director, GAIN; Dr Rune Blomhoff, Professor, Oslo University, Project Leader of the NNR2023; Dr Madhuvanti Murphy, Senior Lecturer and Researcher, University of the West Indies; Lana Weidgenant, Youth representative, The Coalition of Action on Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems for Children and All.
The Nordics bring the latest research on nutrition to the table
Nutrition is the foundation for healthy lives, and we need to ensure that everyone has access to healthy and sustainable diets. Research shows that healthy diets are also more environmentally sustainable.
The research dialogue during the side-event will include insights from the Nordic Region with the newly published Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 (NNR2023) as well as similar examples from other regions.
- Finland and the Nordics will jointly contribute to the discussions with our long commitment to school meals where Finland is leading the global School Meals Coalition, and through the joint work with the scientifically leading Nordic Nutrition Recommendations that provides guidelines for better, healthier and more sustainable diets, says Kai Mykkänen Minister of Climate and the Environment, Finland.
Event: Health, food and climate - A systems perspective for urgent climate action
At this official COP28 side-event, you will hear from experts, researchers and about the challenges and solutions that can be found through linking health, food and climate action.
- Host: Finland, Nordic Council of Ministers, World Health Organization (WHO)
- Date & time: 11 December 18:30 - 20:00 (Dubai/GMT+4)
- Room: Side Event Room 4, Blue Zone, COP28, Dubai
Join the debate – on site in Dubai or online
The side-event will also be available for watching live and on-demand on the COP 28 platform for virtual participation.
Streaming link will be added soon.
Register to keep updated
More information and speakers will be announced soon. To keep posted about the official side-event and other food systems related activities from the Nordic Council of Ministers at COP28, please sign up for news updates via email and/or WhatsApp.
