Why in news?
At the Bonn climate conference in June 2026, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Türkiye’s upcoming COP 31 presidency announced the “Turquoise Nexus Initiative.” The programme seeks to integrate food security, water management and climate adaptation into national climate plans. It will be formally launched at the COP 31 summit later this year.
Background
The FAST Partnership was launched at COP 27 to mobilise climate finance and technical support for transforming agri‑food systems. The Turquoise Nexus Initiative builds on this work by linking food, water and climate agendas. Many national plans treat agriculture and water management as separate issues. As droughts and floods intensify, fragmented planning leads to inefficiency. Farmers’ groups, represented by the World Farmers’ Organisation, stress that farmers are the primary managers of water resources and must be involved in decision‑making.
Objectives and features
- Integrated planning: Countries will be encouraged to embed food, water and climate considerations into their Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans. This approach addresses fragmentation and ensures that policies for food security and water conservation align with climate goals.
- Technical support: FAO and partner organisations will provide guidance, training and data sharing to help governments design integrated policies. The initiative will also support investment‑readiness for projects that link agriculture, water and climate adaptation.
- Farmer participation: The World Farmers’ Organisation advocates direct involvement of farmers in developing water governance measures. It calls for climate finance to reach farmers and for measures that recognise them as stewards of water.
- Water‑efficient agriculture: Guidelines will promote practices such as rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation and crop diversification in adaptation plans. Countries will share lessons through a global knowledge platform.
- Launch at COP 31: The initiative will be officially rolled out at the COP 31 summit in Türkiye. It complements the FAST Partnership’s aim to unlock climate finance for agriculture and ensure that agri‑food systems are part of climate solutions.
Significance
- Resilient food systems: Integrated planning can improve water use, reduce crop losses and enhance food security in a changing climate.
- Support for developing countries: The initiative helps nations lacking capacity to design holistic policies and access climate finance. It also encourages investment in rural infrastructure and water conservation.
- Recognition of farmers: By involving farmer‑organisations, the programme ensures that the people most affected by climate change have a voice in policy design and benefit directly from climate finance.
Conclusion
The Turquoise Nexus Initiative reflects a growing understanding that food, water and climate issues are interlinked. It aims to support countries in crafting integrated policies that protect livelihoods, conserve water and meet climate commitments.