This session will explore the multiple dimensions that shape blue food systems, including justice, equity, community leadership, aquatic animal welfare, resilience, and fisheries data integration to climate action. Drawing insights from governments, communities and civil society, the discussion will highlight diverse approaches and solutions for building food systems that are both sustainable and inclusive.

Panelists will analyze key opportunities and challenges, sharing insights on pathways to create more resilient and climate-aligned blue food systems. The session will also underscore the central role of artisanal fishing in supporting food security and livelihoods for nearly 50 million people in the Amazon, the vital contribution of fisherwomen as guardians safeguarding the ecosystems within rainforest territories and the importance of improving aquatic animal welfare as part of equitable and climate-smart transformation.

Event objectives

● Showcase the interconnected dimensions of blue food systems—equity, aquatic animal welfare, resilience, and climate action—and illustrate how these pillars collectively shape sustainable transformation.
● Demonstrate how integrating aquatic animal welfare enhances ecosystem resilience, supports just transitions, and strengthens the climate alignment of food systems.
● Highlight the centrality of artisanal fishing for food security and livelihoods of nearly 50 million people in the Amazon.
● Acknowledge fisherfolk as guardians of traditional knowledge and their stewardship of fisherfolk in conserving the ecosystems within their territories.
● Draw attention to artisanal fisherwomen vulnerability to climate change
● Underscore artisanal fishing, ornamental fishing and aquaculture as conservation tools and nature-based solutions for climate adaptation.
● Discuss how research can lend insights to building more sustainable blue food systems. 

Key outcomes

● Increased awareness on the inclusion of aquatic food systems into COP30 Action Agenda as nature-based climate solutions, thereby recognizing the central role of fisheries and aquaculture in building more resilient and sustainable food systems.
● Improved understanding of how climate change intensifies existing inequalities, with disproportionate impacts on the most vulnerable groups, including women, Indigenous peoples, and small-scale fishing communities.
● Shared understanding of blue food systems as a holistic, multi-sectoral concept.
● Recognition of aquatic animal welfare as a key enabler of both environmental sustainability and equity in blue food systems.
● Enhanced visibility of diverse initiatives—from national policy to local community action.
● Strengthened collaboration among partners on integrating equity and aquatic animal welfare into blue food policy frameworks.
● Identification of follow-up opportunities for cross-organizational engagement at COP30 and beyond.
● Increased recognition of the central role of artisanal fisheries in ensuring food security and sustaining livelihoods for Amazonian communities.
● Strengthened commitment among governments, communities, researchers, and civil society to accelerate climate action in fisheries and aquaculture, thereby building more resilient and sustainable food systems.
● Improved understanding of fisherwomen stewardship in rainforest territories and recognition of their leadership in community-based conservation initiatives.
● Expanded visibility of climate vulnerabilities affecting small-scale fishing communities in marine and ocean ecosystems, and improved understanding of how climate change intensifies existing inequalities, with disproportionate impacts on the most vulnerable groups, including women and Indigenous peoples.