CATIE at COP28: Director General emphasizes Crop Trust's crucial support for coffee conservation

• Within the framework of COP28, CATIE seized the opportunity to highlight its role in the region with specific actions for climate change mitigation and adaptation

December 15. Dubai, United Arab Emirates. During the Climate Summit 2023 (COP28), CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) celebrated a significant achievement by reaffirming Crop Trust 's support to strengthen the conservation of the International Coffee Collection housed in its headquarters in Turrialba, Costa Rica.

Crop Trust, an international organization dedicated to safeguarding the genetic diversity of crops worldwide, offered to continue supporting CATIE's efforts.

During strategic meetings at COP28, CATIE's Director General, Muhammad Ibrahim, along with Carlos Araya, Director of Business and Strategic Alliances, met with key representatives from Crop Trust to manage the acquisition of funds for CATIE's coffee collection.

Crop Trust's commitment is a fundamental step for CATIE, as this organization is a leader in preserving genetic resources essential for global food security.

Both parties agreed to develop a comprehensive proposal to seek funding from various donors, aiming to further strengthen CATIE's capacity to address current and future challenges in coffee production.

CATIE's Contribution at COP

Within the framework of COP28, CATIE took the opportunity to highlight its role in the region, sharing its vision in critical areas such as food sustainability, sustainable livestock, and specific actions for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Director General Muhammad Ibrahim was part of the panel of speakers at the Side Events of Pavilion #SICACOP28, where he shared initiatives and results driven by CATIE in the region through the Executive Secretariat of the Central American Agricultural Council.

He reiterated the importance of working as a bloc in the agricultural sector, promoting innovation and technology to reduce carbon emissions, conserve biodiversity, and increase efficiency in production.

These efforts not only reinforce CATIE's position as a leader in agronomic research in the region but also provide a platform to strengthen relationships with donors and implementing partners.

El Director General de @CATIEOficial, Muhammad Ibrahim, fue parte del panel de conferencistas en los Side Events del Pabellón #SICACOP28, en el que compartió las iniciativas y resultados impulsados por el #CATIE en la #RegiónSICA a través de la Secretaría Ejecutiva Consejo… pic.twitter.com/qM49XtEuyJ

— SICA – Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana (@sg_sica) December 13, 2023

CATIE's strategy for participating in COP28 has proven fruitful, not only by establishing and strengthening networks with governments such as Canada, Sweden, Norway, and Germany but also by engaging in crucial conversations with global financial instruments, such as the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German government, and the Mitigation Action Facility, formed by a consortium of European donors.

In this context, collaboration with Crop Trust represents a significant boost for CATIE, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and climate change mitigation.

During his stay at COP28, the Director General also also held discussions with senior authorities from Great Britainon the Biodiversity credits program - Moving towards thriving nature markets. CATIE's representatives shared valuable insights from their experience and knowledge, emphasizing their ability to scale biodiversity credits towards prosperous nature markets.

The Climate Summit concluded with an agreement to "transition to phase out all fossil fuels." The 21-page document urges countries to abandon fossil fuels in their energy systems. The agreed plan aims to keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees compared to the pre-industrial era within reach.