Climate week London and agricultural research for development

20-28 June 2026. During London Climate Action Week 2026, agricultural research for development featured prominently in discussions on climate resilience, food security, sustainable finance, and science partnerships. While the week comprised more than 1,000 events across London, only a limited number focused specifically on agricultural research and innovation. The principal sessions are summarized below.

25/06 The Power of Partnerships: Harnessing UK Agricultural Science for Climate Resilience and Food Security

Organisers: CGIAR, UK-CGIAR Centre and CABI

Content
This high-level panel explored how partnerships between UK research institutions, CGIAR, governments and national partners can accelerate the translation of agricultural research into development outcomes. The discussion focused on scaling climate-smart innovations, strengthening food security, supporting smallholder farmers, and ensuring that research generates practical impact through equitable international collaboration. Particular attention was given to linking UK scientific excellence with local innovation systems across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Speakers

• Ismahane Elouafi – keynote speaker on the role of CGIAR partnerships in climate-resilient food systems.
• Nitya Rao – Professor of Gender and Development; discussed inclusive and gender-responsive
  agricultural transformation.
• Tim Willis – provided a UK government and development cooperation perspective on translating research into impact.
• John Edmunds – addressed the contribution of science to evidence-based policy and resilience.
• Anjana Ahuja – science journalist and moderator of the discussion.

25/06 Africa's Climate Innovation: Where Capital Meets Reality

Organisers: Catalyst Fund, FSD Africa, Briter Bridges, BFA Global, Shell Foundation and Trafigura Foundation.

The session marked the launch of The State of Climate Tech Innovation in Africa 2.0, a report examining the realities behind climate innovation financing on the continent. 

This report was produced in partnership with Catalyst Fund , FSD Africa , and BFA Global, with funding data support from Africa: The Big Deal .

• Rather than focusing only on headline investment figures, the discussion explored which climate technologies are successfully attracting capital, where ventures struggle to scale, and the types of financing,
  partnerships and ecosystem support required at different stages of business growth. 
• 
  The event brought together investors, development finance institutions (DFIs), entrepreneurs, philanthropies, corporates and policymakers to discuss practical pathways for accelerating climate innovation across Africa. 
• In this keynote presentation, Nijhad Jamal unpacks the evolving state of climate tech in Africa, exploring how founders, investors, and fund managers are navigating an increasingly complex investment landscape.

2. Climate Innovation Forum

Date: 22 June 2026
Organiser: Climate Action

Content
Several sessions examined the transformation of food systems through research, innovation and investment. Discussions focused on regenerative agriculture, nature-positive food production, climate finance for agriculture, low-carbon supply chains, digital technologies, and public-private partnerships needed to scale agricultural innovations. Food system resilience was presented as a cornerstone of achieving both climate mitigation and adaptation goals.

Representative speakers
The forum brought together ministers, international organizations, investors, agribusiness leaders and research organizations, including representatives from CGIAR, multinational food companies, financial institutions and climate innovation networks. Rather than dedicated agriculture-only panels, agricultural research was integrated into broader discussions on sustainable investment and resilient food systems.

3. Climate and the Future of Health

Date: 22 June 2026
Organiser: The Conduit

Content
This flagship event examined how climate change affects nutrition, food security and public health. Several discussions highlighted the importance of agricultural research in developing climate-resilient crops, improving diets, strengthening sustainable food systems and reducing the health impacts of extreme weather. The event emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration between agriculture, nutrition and health research communities.

Overall relevance for Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D)

Across London Climate Action Week 2026, four consistent messages emerged for the agricultural research community:

• Partnerships between international research organizations, national agricultural research systems, universities and governments are essential for translating scientific discoveries into development impact.
• Climate-resilient food systems require continued investment in agricultural R&D, innovation, and locally adapted technologies for smallholder farmers.
• Research alone is insufficient—effective implementation depends on finance, policy support and equitable partnerships that enable innovations to reach farmers at scale.
• Food systems are central to climate action, linking agricultural productivity, biodiversity, nutrition, health and economic resilience in the lead-up to COP31.