Addis Ababa, October 25, 2024
The Ministerial Segment of the Extraordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water, and Environment (ARDWE) opened today with powerful interventions from African Union leaders and partners, as they gathered to deliberate on the future of Africa’s agricultural transformation. With a strong focus on post-Malabo initiatives, including the Common African Agro-Parks #CAAPs and the Soil Health Initiative for Africa (SIA), the session also paid tribute to the leadership of H.E. Amb. Josefa Sacko, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment.
In her opening address, Amb. Sacko emphasized the urgent need for Africa to address critical challenges such as food insecurity, climate change, and economic shocks. “We are not on track to meet the targets of the Malabo Declaration or the Sustainable Development Goals related to hunger and nutrition. However, with the right leadership and continued collaboration, we can reverse this trajectory,” she stated. Amb. Sacko also celebrated the collaborative spirit of African leaders, expressing optimism that the continent can realize its agricultural potential through strong political will and partnerships.
In an impassioned statement, Dr. TABUNA Honoré, Commissioner for the Environment, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), spoke on behalf of all the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) of the African Union. He lauded Amb. Sacko for her dynamic leadership and enormous contributions during her tenure, noting her courage and commitment to driving Africa’s agricultural agenda forward. Dr. TABUNA also voiced concerns about the poor progress of many African member states in achieving the goals of the Malabo Declaration. He emphasized the need for a more coordinated, African-led approach to ensure the successful realization of the targets outlined in the post-Malabo agenda.
“The RECs are concerned by the slow progress in meeting the continental goals enshrined in the Malabo Declaration. We call for stronger cooperation and leadership from African states to ensure that the post-Malabo framework achieves its intended goals,” Dr. TABUNA stated, urging for deeper collaboration between national governments, RECs, and the African Union to drive more tangible results.
The Chair of the STC, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries of Uganda, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of an actionable post-Malabo process. “The post-Malabo agenda must not remain a set of aspirations on paper; we need actionable plans and commitments from every member state to drive agricultural transformation and ensure food security for all Africans,” Hon. Tumwebaze remarked.
Amb. Sacko also reflected on the critical importance of the Africa Food Safety Agency, which is being considered for final endorsement during this session. “The operationalization of the Africa Food Safety Agency is integral to our goals under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” she said. “It will play a pivotal role in ensuring that our agricultural products meet international standards, opening doors for global market access.”
As the conference continues, African Ministers, development partners, and key stakeholders will deliberate on key policy decisions that will shape the future of Africa’s agricultural landscape, paving the way for the AU Special Summit in January 2025 in Kampala, Uganda.
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