Background

The main objective of the seminar is to foster understanding of the effects of climate change on food security in Africa and Asia, and to critically examine some of the policy options available to these countries to promote food security and create resilience to the impacts of climate change. It will also focus on how to promote sustainable agriculture in the context of green economy-green agriculture, one of the two themes of Rio+20. The seminar will therefore support one of the principal expected outcomes of the Rio+20.
The specific aims of the seminar were to:

Provide a forum for senior policymakers and scholars to examine the impact of climate change on agriculture and food security in Africa and Asia;

Discuss ways and means of promoting green agriculture so as to enhance food security;

Address the problem of climate change in Africa and Asia and develop strategies to mitigate greenhouse effects and discuss effective methods of adapting to climate change;

Examine and discuss best practices from Africa and Asia in dealing with climate change and its impact on food security;

Discuss appropriate means and mechanisms of strengthening information exchange on adaptation policies so as to increase the resilience of rural communities;

Mainstream climate change and food security issues into national, regional, and local development policies and plans such as poverty reduction strategies (PRS); and

Create awareness among participants on the emerging concept of a green economy and its role in sustainable development.