Prof. Dr. Zafer Çelik, a faculty member of our department, participated as a panelist in the session titled “Advancing the WEFE Nexus for Climate-Resilient Crop Production in Africa,” held at the Türkiye Pavilion during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya on November 9, 2026.
The panel, organized by the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), COMSATS, and ICESCO, addressed the impacts of climate change on agricultural production in Africa, the interconnections between water, energy, food, and ecosystems, and approaches to strengthening sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.
In his remarks, Çelik emphasized that climate change is not merely an environmental challenge but also a social and economic issue that directly affects farmers’ livelihoods, food security, and social inequalities. Drawing on recent agricultural losses in Türkiye, he highlighted the consequences of climate change for local communities. He also stressed the importance of inclusive policies that take local conditions and farmers’ needs into account when strengthening climate resilience in Africa.
