WASHINGTON, DC - The annual United Nations climate change conference, COP28, is taking place this week in the United Arab Emirates. As the conference gears up for its 28^th year, world leaders, business and non-profit leaders, and academic experts are coming together to find concrete sustainability solutions. Among the leaders on the ground are the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) sustainability experts.

“COP28 is the place for global decision-makers to discuss issues that impact sustainability and climate change,” said IFPA Chief Science Officer, Max Teplitski, Ph.D. “IFPA is at COP28 this year to represent that global fresh produce and floral industry because, as one of the most affected industries, it’s critical that we’re present and engaged in creating solutions that are workable and ensure that we can continue to feed nutritious, fresh products to our growing world.”

The IFPA delegation includes Dr. Teplitski and IFPA’s Director of Sustainability Tamara Muruetagoiena, wielding almost a half-century of experience in sustainability and climate change between the two. As a press release explained, the team combines deep experience in ecosystem functioning and services, industry adoption of climate-smart production practices, and advancing regulation and legislation on climate and sustainability.

Teplitski and Muruetagoiena have a full agenda in the coming days that includes the following:

• Agri-Food Systems Summit - Today, December 8
• Food, Agriculture, and Water Day events in the Blue Zone – December 10

As the release went on to note, leaders from 134 countries, including the United States, have signed a declaration this year to integrate food systems into the climate plans by 2025, marking the first time that food will be a part of the world’s climate plans.

“While I’m thrilled to see that food will be incorporated in the world’s plans by 2025, it is important for our industry to be present here at COP28 to ensure that the solutions proposed to feed a growing world consider the realities of growing and distributing safe, nutritious, and sustainably-produced food,” added Muruetagoiena. “Our message is that our industry is a critical part of the solution to climate change through the consumption of fruits and vegetables. The only way we can have a sustainable food system is by supporting climate-smart agriculture and carbon farming.”

The organization will report on the learnings and actions to come from COP28 on its social channels and website.

And ANUK will continue to bring you the latest updates from our industry.

International Fresh Produce Association