Funding for a US-UAE-led initiative to develop climate-friendly agricultural practices worldwide has risen to more than $13 billion, a US official said on Monday, according to trending reports citing al arabiya. The Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) was launched in 2021 and aims to unite nations to reduce agricultural emissions, which account for about 10 to 12 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from sources such as manure, machinery and fertilizer application to the intergovernmental panel on climate change. US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the latest funding figures at the AIM for Climate Summit in Washington DC on Monday, speaking alongside UAE Minister of Climate and Environment Mariam Almheiri and former US Vice President Al Gore.  About $10 billion of the $13 billion comes from governments, and the rest comes from nongovernmental parties that fund initiatives to support small farmers, emerging technologies and reduce methane, a U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman said. "Climate change continues to affect long-term agricultural practices in every country, and a strong global commitment is needed to meet the challenges of climate change head-on," Vilsack said in a statement. The UAE will host the COP28 climate change talks this autumn. Since COP27 last November, $8 billion has been pledged to AIM for Climate. The AIM for Climate Summit runs until Wednesday and will bring together representatives from Canada, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, as well as academics and business leaders. (MENAFN)