Aly Abousabaa - ICARDA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Central & Western Asia & North Africa

The discussion highlights the importance of climate-resilient agriculture and local solutions to transform communities, emphasizing a positive outlook on climate and biodiversity challenges. Aly Abousabaa, Director General of ICARDA, stresses the significance of investing in dry lands for sustainable growth. Africa's progress over the past 30 years is noted, with improvements in infrastructure, governance, and natural resource management. The role of technology, particularly mobile telephony in Nigeria, is discussed as a transformative force in commerce and agriculture. The conversation also touches on the potential of AI and technology to revolutionize agriculture and create employment opportunities. Gatherings like COP16 are seen as vital for exchanging knowledge and inspiring political leaders to embrace scientific solutions.