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Agenda

07:30 – Arrivals

09:00 – 10:00 Plenary: Opening Session

The UK Prime Minister the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak will open the event and launch the International Development White Paper. He will then invite the event partners: the President of Somalia HE Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment HE Mariam Almheiri and the founder of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation Sir Chris Hohn to deliver opening remarks.

10:00 – 10:30 Break

10:30 – 12:20 Breakout Sessions (in parallel)

Session 1: Creating new approaches to ending preventable deaths of children.

The Chairs, the UK Minister for Development the Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell and UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell will provide opening remarks and lead a discussion on:

  • How do we shift the dial from treatment to prevention of malnutrition?
  • What should we do differently to bring down the caseload and make lasting progress?
  • How can we close the finance gap and optimise funding for greater impact?

Session 2: Harnessing science and technology for food security

The UK Minister for Science, Research and Innovation George Freeman will open the discussion on collaborative science and research partnerships that accelerate progress towards greater food security and nutrition. The UK Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific the Rt Hon Anne Marie Trevelyan will close. This discussion will focus on:

  • What are examples of best practice in evidence and innovation for food and nutrition?
  • Where should we look for next big opportunities to accelerate progress on hunger prevention? How can we make the most of the technological advances and innovations in genetic engineering, digital/AI and nature-based solutions?
  • How can we deepen collaborative science partnerships to accelerate action?

12:20 – 13:40 Lunch

13:40 – 15:30 Breakout Sessions (in parallel)

Session 3: Anticipating and preventing famine and food security crises.

The UK Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and United Nations the Rt Hon Lord Ahmad will provide opening remarks and open a panel discussion focused on:

  • What can we learn from, and what good practices can be adopted, to anticipate and act early to prevent food insecurity in conflict settings, while supporting resilience?
  • How can access to climate adaptation finance & shock responsive social protection be improved to support anticipatory action and resilience building in states most at risk?
  • How can we strengthen compliance with International Humanitarian Law in preventing hunger, how can UN SC Resolution 2417 on conflict & hunger be better implemented?

Session 4: Building a climate-resilient and sustainable food system.

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Rt Hon Therese Coffey will provide closing remarks. In collaboration with the UAE COP28 Presidency, this discussion will focus on:

  • What policy action and investments are countries and other actors taking to drive their transition to climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture and food systems?
  • How do we build international commitment and effective partnerships for wider food systems transformation that delivers for people, planet and prosperity?
  • How can we learn from ongoing initiatives that catalyse and leverage greater ambition and private sector investment for sustainable agriculture and food security?

15:30 – 16:00 Break

16:00 – 17:00 Plenary: Closing Session

The President of Global Growth at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Rodger Voorhies, Brazil Minister of Social Development HE Wellington Dias and the UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell will deliver closing remarks. The UK Foreign Secretary the Rt Hon James Cleverly will close the event.

17:00 – 19:00 Reception