Laudate Deum: Apostolic Exhortation to all people of good will on the climate crisis and the outcomes of COP28

To further this inter-institutional collaboration and accelerate needed actions, the joint hybrid dialogue will examine the messages and recommendations of “Laudate Deum” as well as discuss progress made by the COP28 in terms of climate actions related to food security and the sustainability of food systems, and how they align with UNEP and support offered to Members. The event will also address the role that religious organizations can play in stimulating or driving action to address climate change.

Additionally, the dialogue will provide an opportunity to discuss innovative social and technological responses, and the perspectives of different stakeholders - young people, scientific experts, governments, and international organizations - as part of an approach that promotes the right to food. This briefing aims to brief participants on the Laudate Deum and the key role of sustainable food systems in COP28, position agrifood system transformation as a solution to key global crises, and present FAO and UNEP support offered to Members within their respective mandates and in line with relevant messages of the Laudate Deum and outcomes of COP28.

List of Speakers:

Maurizio Martina, Deputy Director-General, FAO

H.E. Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer, Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva

Jaime Tatay, SJ, Professor of Moral Theology, Comillas Pontifical University of Madrid

Kaveh Zahedi, Director of the Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment Office, FAO

Arnold Kreilhuber, Regional Director, UNEP Europe Office in Geneva

Dan Gustafson, Special Representative of the Director-General, FAO

Ombeline Massot, Agriculture student, Institut Polytechnique Unilassale, France

Emmanuelle François, President, Association Les journées Paysannes

Mariam Wallet Aboubakrine, President, Association Tinhinan and Adjunct Professor, University of Ottawa

Marieke Hood, Executive Director, Impact Translator, Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA)

H. E. Mr. Tovar Da Silva Nunes, Ambassador, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Brazil to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva

Dilara Abdullayeva, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva

This event is organized by the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, UNEP, the Permanent Mission of the Holy See in Geneva and the Caritas in Veritate Foundation.