By Phiwa Sikhondze
Woman Farmer Foundation Director, Sonia Pavia has been selected to represent the International Trade Centre’s Business Support Organization, a network of trade and investment support institutions.
Paiva will share her insights on how trade can help in tackling the climate crisis in a panel discussion session themed: Making Trade Policy Work for People and the Planet.
She will join other experts and stakeholders from around the world to discuss the role of trade policy in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The Paris Agreement is a landmark deal that was signed by 195 countries at COP21 in Paris in 2015. It aims to limit the global temperature rise to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, above pre-industrial levels. It also sets out a framework for countries to cooperate and commit to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Paiva is a leader in promoting innovative agricultural practices among youth agripreneurs in Africa. She also advocates for women’s empowerment and gender equality in the agricultural sector.
She runs a training program on protective farming that aims to increase climate resilience, food security, and youth employment. The program equips students with practical and theoretical skills including protective farming, agribusiness management, and access to finance.
COP refers to the Conference of the Parties, and is the most important annual meeting on climate change, where governments negotiate and cooperate on how to address the global challenge.
It will take place from November 30 to December 12 in the United Arab Emirates and is expected to attract more than 70,000 participants. COP28 will also highlight the importance of finance and innovation in the low-carbon transition.
At the core of the COP is the negotiations between governments on how they’re going to cooperate and what new commitments they’re willing to make. Delegates comprise world leaders, civil society representatives, leaders in business and finance, and other individuals and entities of influence.