Five-day summit in Kigali, Rwanda focused on the status of food systems in Africa
FIFA Foundation Executive Chairman Mauricio Macri addressed high-level audience and underlined FIFA’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, to reduce global carbon emissions
African launch of The Gigaton Carbon Goal took place in collaboration with UPL Ltd., Qatar Foundation and AGRA
On September 6, 2022, FIFA Foundation Executive Chairman Mauricio Macri participated at the AGRF Summit 2022, the world’s premier forum for African agriculture, where over 2500 delegates including African presidents, agriculture ministers, private sector, development partners, civil society, and experts got together to take practical actions and share lessons that will move African agriculture forward.
Mr. Macri in his speech highlighted FIFA Foundation’s commitment to tackling climate change via The Gigaton Carbon Goal, an ambitious plan aimed at reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide by one gigaton (one billion tonnes) by 2040 through more sustainable farming methods. The figure is equivalent to the total emissions of the entire Sub-Saharan Africa in 1 year. Addressing the attendees, he highlighted the importance of such a topic for Africa, home to 60 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable land. In this respect, he stressed that “sustainable economic growth is one of the fundamental challenges of the 21st century” and invited stakeholders to join forces as “today's global challenges require global-scale responses, and a multidisciplinary and innovative approach.”
The African launch of The Gigaton Carbon Goal took place successfully in the framework of the AGRF Summit with the presence of the Executive Chairman of the FIFA Foundation, the CEO of UPL Ltd. Mr. Jai Shroff, FIFA Legend Didier Drogba, and Agnes Kalibata, the President of the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa. The event in Kigali follows a series of editions around the world, the latest in France in July 2022, and Argentina, in August 2022.
Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Vision 2020-2023: Making Football Truly Global spearheaded by the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, FIFA Foundation strengthens its contributions to the Agenda 2030 via this collaboration with UPL Ltd. using football as a platform to raise awareness about several key social and environmental issues, including the positive impact that sustainable development and environmental protection can make within society.
In addition, FIFA’s Climate strategy, unveiled last year, includes a commitment to reduce football’s emissions and contribute to achieving the global goals with a 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2040, as per the goals set by the Paris Agreement in 2015.
“FIFA has an enormous responsibility to use the power of football – and the reach our sport has – to influence and inspire others to take up the call to arms and to do their part for the planet," said Mr Macri.
“We are aware that football provides a bigger platform than ever before for these important messages. But it’s through collaboration and collective action that we will achieve our aims and that’s why we appreciate so many of you being present here tonight – simply by being here you are stating your intention to play a part in change.”