Eswatini farmer speaks at UN climate conference
Sonia Paiva will present on women farmers' role in sustainable agriculture and green businesses at COP31 in Türkiye.
Sonia Paiva, Founder and Director of the Woman Farmer Foundation (WFF), is representing Eswatini at the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, starting today. Her participation highlights women farmers' contributions to sustainable agriculture and rural economic development.
Paiva will speak as a panellist at a COP31 side event organised by the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH) on "Restoring Land, Creating Jobs: Women Farmers Building Green Businesses Across the Commonwealth." She will share insights from over three decades of experience on how small-scale women farmers can develop commercially viable, climate-resilient businesses.
The presentation will showcase the WFF's work, including its Woman Farmer of the Year Competition and climate-smart youth training. Paiva's experience as Managing Director of Eswatini Kitchen will also inform discussions on challenges women farmers face in accessing finance and markets.