Pará hosts national seminar on food, health, and climate towards COP30
Event brings together authorities and experts to discuss the impacts of climate change on food systems and public health
The auditorium of the State Department of Public Health of Belém (Sespa) was the stage this Friday (30) for the seminar "Food, Health, and Climate Change – towards COP 30", promoted by the Federal Nutrition Council (CFN), in partnership with the Regional Nutrition Council (CRN) and with the support of Sespa. The event is part of the preparatory actions for the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), which will take place in Belém in November this year.
The opening table was composed of Erika Carvalho, president of CFN; Yonah Figueira, president of CRN-7; Edney Pereira, deputy secretary of Administrative Management of Sespa; Heloísa Guimarães, deputy secretary of Health Policy Management of Sespa; and Eduardo Costa, Secretary of State for Tourism.
During the opening, the president of CFN highlighted the symbolic and strategic importance of holding the event in the capital of Pará. “We are in Belém, a city that will host COP30, anticipating discussions on the effects of the climate crisis and alternatives for building sustainable and fair food systems. The support from Sespa was decisive for the realization of this seminar and reaffirms Pará's leading role in building a health and sustainability agenda with national and international dimensions,” said Erika Carvalho.
The seminar brought together public managers, representatives of civil society, and nutrition professionals to discuss strategies to face the climate crisis, focusing on food and health. Throughout the day, round tables addressed topics such as food security, environmental justice for traditional peoples of the Amazon, the impacts of climate change on food systems, and the strategic role of professionals in the field.
Deputy Secretary Edney Pereira emphasized the transformative role of the event for public health. “When we look at this topic, we see a unique opportunity to promote structural change. The nutritionist has an essential role in building public policies that promote food security, health, and sustainable development. COP30 is not just an international event; it is a turning point. It is the moment to show the world the value of our biodiversity and our food culture,” he highlighted.
Deputy Secretary Heloísa Guimarães highlighted Sespa's commitment to formulating effective public policies and monitoring their impacts in the territories. “Our role goes beyond creating policies; it is to ensure that they reach people and make a real difference in the lives of the population. Climate change directly affects food production and, consequently, people's health. We need to be attentive to these impacts and act with responsibility, planning, and constant monitoring,” she stated.
Representing the tourism sector, Secretary Eduardo Costa highlighted the city's preparation to host an event of the magnitude of COP30. “Belém is currently experiencing a new cycle of development. We are investing in infrastructure, training, and hospitality to welcome visitors from all over the world. The realization of this seminar here is a milestone that shows Pará's commitment to climate debate and the construction of a sustainable legacy,” he stated.
In addition to the discussion tables, the event also marked the launch of the public consultation of the Reference Framework for Food Systems and Climate, coordinated by the Ministry of Social Development, and the presentation of the draft of the Technical Note from CFN on the impact of climate change on health and food systems.
For Walkiria Moraes, state coordinator of Nutrition at Sespa, the event represents a strategic moment to strengthen technical and political dialogue on food security in a context of climate emergency. “This seminar is aimed at nutritionists and public managers and seeks to strengthen state public policies for enhancing food and nutritional security in the state of Pará in the context of climate change. The presence of the category in this debate is essential for us to integrate health, food, and the environment in the formulation of concrete actions towards COP30,” said Walkiria.
The event reinforces the strategic role of nutrition professionals in promoting sustainable food systems and addressing socio-environmental inequalities. The expectation is that the discussions held in Belém will contribute technical subsidies for the actions that will be presented by Brazil during the UN climate conference.
