Between 3 and 5 November, the Centre of Excellence against Hunger team participated in the Local Leaders Forum, held in Rio de Janeiro, which symbolises the start of activities leading up to COP 30, to be held throughout the month in Belém.
The occasion also marked the C40 World Mayors Summit, which brought together local leaders and authorities from around the world to discuss concrete solutions to the climate crisis and reinforce the role of cities as protagonists in building a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Attended by more than 300 mayors and municipal representatives from various countries, the event highlighted the importance of climate justice combined with social justice, recognising that the transformation of urban systems is essential to tackle climate change and promote the well-being of the most vulnerable populations.
The Centre of Excellence against Hunger, through its knowledge exchange and capacity building initiatives, has contributed to the dissemination and implementation of low-carbon technologies and the promotion of sustainable food systems that favour short production chains, regenerative agriculture and local development.
Among the highlights of the event was the launch of the Thriving Food Systems acceleration initiative, which already has eleven signatory cities from Asia, Africa and Latin America. The initiative represents a commitment by these cities to provide healthy meals for all children, strengthen local markets and build food systems capable of simultaneously tackling hunger and climate change.