Copenhagen gets climate and food secretariat

A new international research secretariat, with focus on climate change and agriculture, is to be hosted at the University of Copenhagen Faculty of Life Sciences

by Luci Ellis

A new global research initiative - headquartered in Copenhagen - is to address threats to agriculture and food security in a changing climate.

The Challenge Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) secretariat will be located at the Department of Agriculture and Ecology at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Life Sciences.

The Faculty of Life Sciences was chosen among a number of international applicants to host the secretariat.

Key role for Danish research

Researchers involved in the program aim to find new ways of helping rural communities adjust to climate change. Three regions have been selected for initial research; the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Eastern Africa and Western Africa.

John R. Porter, a professor at the Faculty of Life Sciences Department of Agriculture and Ecology is delighted that it will play host to the new secretariat.

»It is a well kept secret that Danish agricultural research is in the top ten in world rankings. With the launch of this new research program, Danish research will have the chance to contribute to one of the world's most important future challenges; global climate change and global agricultural production,« he says.

Minister to attend opening

The secretariat will open Friday 30 October at the Consortium Meeting Room at Life, from 9.45-10.15. The address is Bülowsvej 17, 1870 Frederiksberg.

Ulla Tørnæs, Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, will attend the event, as Danida (Danish International Development Assistance) is one of the sponsors of the new secretariat. Its placement in Denmark is considered related to the upcoming COP15 Climate congress.

luci@adm.ku.dk

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