National dialogues advance climate–food convergence in Madagascar

Madagascar is taking action to align its climate and food systems agendas. On 8-9 July, a high-level national dialogue convened by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, in close collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development, brought together key stakeholders involved in agrifood systems transformation and climate action. 

Over 80 participants attend, including high level representatives from government ministries (see endnote below), the National Focal Point for the UNFCCC, as well as country representatives from the FAO, WFP and UNICEF and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, while the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and 4SD participated virtually. The Zero Hunger Coalition moderated a session focused on the achievements in agrifood transformation in addressing climate change.  

This national dialogue is the second to be held in Madagascar as part of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub supported Convergence Initiative. During the second national dialogue, participants defined mitigation and adaptation measures to be included in the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. 

They also expanded the scope of the national initiative to include desertification - thus linking land degradation and food systems - and elevated the National Taskforce for Food Systems Transformation a permanent platform for tracking the convergence plan. 

Joining the UN’s Convergence Initiative 

Given the country’s vulnerability to the consequences of climate change coupled with high levels of food insecurity, Madagascar joined the Convergence Initiative with the support of its National Food Systems Task Force.  

In Madagascar, 75% of the population lacks adequate access to healthy, nutritious food, and more than 1.9 million people currently face acute food insecurity, especially in the southern regions, where climate impacts are most severe. While the global agriculture sector generates more than one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, it also holds immense potential for solutions—through sustainable farming practices, agroforestry, and technological innovation. This offers a compelling case for Madagascar to take more deliberate efforts in converging its agrifood and climate agendas. 

During the second national dialogue, Gaëtan Ramindo, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, highlighted Madagascar’s structural vulnerability to multiple climate shocks. “Persistent food insecurity in several regions, particularly in the South, is a direct symptom of our growing exposure to climate hazards. It is urgent to tackle root causes by fully integrating adaptation and resilience into the transformation of our food systems,” he explained.  

The FAO representative, Charles Boliko, agreed and stressed the importance of an integrated approach. For him, “a multisectoral approach is essential. Food systems are both vulnerable to climate change and contributors to emissions. It is crucial to address both aspects simultaneously.” 

Building on the first national dialogue 

The first national convergence dialogue, organized in early 2025, began the process of synchronizing the country’s policy frameworks for climate action and food systems transformation with the aim of maximising synergies and reducing duplication. It integrated food systems into the NDC and National Biodiversity Strategy, which are both being updated, and incorporated climate into the National Food Systems Transformation roadmap action plan.  

As noted by David Nabarro, member of the UN Food Systems Advisory Group, “The Convergence Initiative aims to promote synergistic action, uphold the Paris Agreement, and above all, avoid duplication, while leveraging resources and capacities from across sectors towards shared goals. Establishing strong governance, enabling implementation of integrated actions, aligning policies and charting a clear path forward is crucial.” 

Scaling up solutions 

During the second national dialogue, participants discussed local solutions. These include climate-smart irrigation systems for arid zones and the introduction of resilient seeds like moringa. However, scaling up these solutions is hindered by limited access to finance.  

Access to carbon markets was one example cited as a mechanism for finance which has been used by the private sector. However, Omer Ralaivao, Madagascar’s national focal point for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), called for broader access to these markets by public entities. “Public initiatives must also benefit from the carbon market. This is a major opportunity to finance an agroecological transformation aligned with our climate goals,” he noted. 

Need for coordination and ownership 

Beyond technical solutions, governance ,multisectoral coordination at all levels, and community mobilisation emerged as essential for success. 

According to Lié Maminiana from the Shamba Centre for Food & Climate, “Ensuring that the transformation of food systems is sustainable does not require a multiplication of structures but rather the strengthening of existing ones, like the National Task Force. By focusing on coordination, shared accountability, and local ownership, we can generate real impact.” 

This point was further reinforced by Professor Marie Danielle Vololontiana, Coordinator of the National Nutrition Office who also called for local ownership. She noted that “coordination must occur from the highest level down to the village—and even the individual. Only then can people adopt sustainable practices and diversified diets.” 

Access to land by smallholder farmers and the better use of territorial planning tools were also identified as key levers for anchoring sustainable food systems transformation in local realities. 

Identifying strategic priorities 

As a next step, participants identified the five strategic priorities as part of the country’s Convergence Initiative. They are: 

• Promote technological innovation for resilient practices. 

• Strengthen national coordination through platforms like the National Task Force for Food Systems. 

• Integrate the carbon market into agricultural projects (UNFCCC Article 6). 

• Ensure an inclusive, cross-sectoral approach. 

• Mobilise the private sector in implementing convergence actions. 

These key priorities will be presented at the upcoming UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS+4) where representatives from Madagascar will also share the country’s model for addressing climate and food security challenges. 

“With only five years remaining until the UN SDG deadline, we can no longer afford to act in silos. The convergence of food systems and climate is not an option—it is a necessity. We must mobilize all forces, public and private, to achieve this vital transformation,” concluded Ianja Raolisoa, Madagascar’s National Food Systems Focal Point, at the close of the dialogue. 

End note

Several senior government officials participated in the dialogue, including: the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (represented by the National Focal Point for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), the General Project Coordinator from the Ministry in charge of Decentralization, Land Use Planning, and Land Affairs, the National Coordinator of the National Office of Nutrition (ONN), a representative from the Ministry of Public Health, a representative from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, a representative from the Ministry of Population and Social Protection, a representative from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, a representative from the Ministry of Public Works, and a representative from the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene.