FP Virtual Dialogue: Farmers on the Frontier of Climate Change

July 27th, 2021

How Global Partnerships Can Drive Agriculture Innovation for a Food-Secure Future

Farmers and agriculture are at the nexus of the climate crisis. Rising temperatures and aridity and other environmental pressures pose serious threats to crop yields, grain supplies and food prices globally. Because of its sizable carbon footprint, industrial farming also is a significant driver of the climate challenge.

To protect farmers’ livelihoods and the ecosystems they rely on, and to ensure food security for humanity’s future, agriculture innovation must be a central focus of global climate action. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the most food import–dependent region in the world where these concerns are particularly acute, also are fertile ground for cutting-edge ag innovation. The U.S. and the UAE – with support from other countries – recently announced the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) initiative that prioritizes commitments, cooperation, and investment in agriculture and food system transformation. The goal of the initiative is to accelerate global agricultural innovation through increased R&D and science-based solutions to improve food security and drive economic growth.

Foreign Policy, in partnership with the Embassy of the UAE, is excited to launch a three-part event series to explore solutions for climate-smart agriculture. Our first discussion features policymakers, agricultural and environmental experts to explore innovative farming practices at the local level, as well as policy and industry efforts to reduce the climate impact of food production and help ensure a sustainable future for food and farmers.

Join the conversation online using #AgInnovation4Climate

In partnership with

Event Details

July 27th, 2021

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT

Speakers

Jaime Adams

Senior Advisor, USDA

Jaime Adams joined the Office of the Chief Scientist, Office of the Secretary, in 2011 as the Senior Advisor for International Affairs to the USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secr...

Expand Bio

Hana AlHashimi

Head of the Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change

Hana AlHashimi is Head of the Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change, H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber. Previously, she led the International Organizations Section of...

Expand Bio

Abdulaziz AlMulla

Founder and CEO, Madar Farms

Abdulaziz’s interest in food security began during his time at McKinsey & Co. working extensively with GCC governments, addressing a variety of national risk challenges. A...

Expand Bio

Jim Barnhart

Assistant to the Administrator, Bureau for Resilience and Food Security, USAID

Dr. Jim Barnhart is the Assistant to the Administrator in the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) Bureau for Resilience and Food Security, as well as the D...

Dr. Jim Barnhart is the Assistant to the Administrator in the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) Bureau for Resilience and Food Security, as well as the Deputy Coordinator for Development for Feed the Future, the U.S. Government’s global hunger and food security initiative. In this dual role, Dr. Barnhart coordinates the implementation of Feed the Future across the U.S. Government, oversees its execution, reports on results, and leads engagement with the external community to ensure that food security remains high on the development agenda. He also oversees USAID’s technical and regional expertise focused on improving agriculture-led growth, resilience, nutrition and water security, sanitation and hygiene. Most recently, Dr. Barnhart served as Mission Director for USAID/Jordan (2015-2020). Prior to that, he oversaw the former USAID Bureau for Food Security’s research and policy divisions, its engagement with the private sector, food security-related communications and outreach, and overall operations. Dr. Barnhart has previously served as Mission Director for USAID/Albania (2012-2014) and USAID/Lebanon (2010-2012). He was Associate Mission Director for Economic Growth and Education and the Acting Economic Growth Office Director in Pakistan. His earlier overseas assignments include Zambia and Jordan, supervising economic growth, agriculture, education, and democracy and governance programs. Before joining USAID, Dr. Barnhart worked in Egypt and the West Bank/Gaza, supporting programs for educational and economic development. He coordinated activities for an American NGO that operated in Armenia, Turkey, and Jerusalem. He traveled throughout the Middle East, including Syria and Oman, and studied Arabic in Damascus and at Bir Zeit University outside of Ramallah. Dr. Barnhart earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Georgia State University, a Master’s Degree in International Economics from Johns Hopkins University (SAIS), and received his B.A. degree from Furman University.

Expand Bio

Maggie Lake

VETERAN JOURNALIST AND FOUNDER OF MAGGIE LAKE MEDIA

Maggie Lake is a veteran journalist with over two decades of experience covering business, technology, politics and international affairs. She started her career at Reuters, whe...

Expand Bio

David Livingston

Senior Advisor to U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry

David Livingston was an associate fellow in Carnegie’s Energy and Climate Program, where his research focuses on emerging markets, technologies, and...

Expand Bio

Ruramiso Mashumba

FARMER, ZIMBABWE

Ruramiso Mashumba is a young woman farmer growing snap peas, maize, whole brown rice, sorghum, millet, gum trees and raises pigs in Marondera, Zimbabwe. She holds a BA Degree in...

Expand Bio