FAO, Iran discuss combating climate change
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili discussed fighting against climate change as they marked World Camel Day in Ardebil Province.
The UN has designated 2024 as the International Year of Camelids. Camels, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos are an important source of livelihood for millions of families - most of them pastoralists - in dryland and mountainous rangeland ecosystems around the world.
It acknowledges their role in protecting ecosystems, conserving biodiversity, and ensuring food security in the face of climate change, according to fao.org.
Yubak Dhoj G C, FAO representative ad interim to Iran, in a message drew attention to the critical global issues of food security and climate change, and the significant role that camels play in addressing these challenges.
“Climate change exacerbates the risks to food security, particularly for vulnerable countries and populations. It leads to the loss of rural livelihoods, degradation of ecosystems, and disruptions in food systems. Additionally, indigenous communities, who rely heavily on biodiversity for their sustenance, face heightened vulnerability as biodiversity continues to decline,” Dhoj G C stated.
In the livestock sector, which is crucial for global food production, we encounter diverse challenges, including climate change, emerging diseases, competition for natural resources, and evolving demand for animal-source foods, he also warned.
He said that we observe World Camel Day on the 22nd of June every year, and with each passing year, the interest and support for camel development continue to grow, underscoring their untapped potential.
FAO announced readiness to provide technical support to the development of short-, medium- and long-term strategies for increasing the population of Bactrian camels, which is planned to be prepared by the government and relevant authorities.