Addis Ababa, October 25, 2024
The Extraordinary Session of the African Union‘s Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water, and Environment (ARDWE) commenced with a gathering of AU leaders and prominent partners to discuss Africa’s agricultural future. Central to the session is the post-Malabo agenda, which includes initiatives such as the Common African Agro-Parks (#CAAPs) and the Soil Health Initiative for Africa (SIA).
In her opening address, H.E. Amb. Josefa Sacko, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, called for urgent action to tackle challenges like food insecurity, climate change, and economic instability across Africa. “We are falling short of the Malabo Declaration targets and the Sustainable Development Goals on hunger and nutrition,” she remarked, urging for leadership and collaboration to realign Africa’s agricultural trajectory.
Representing the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Dr. TABUNA Honoré, ECCAS Commissioner for the Environment, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Rural Development, praised Amb. Josefa Sacko’s leadership. He underscored the need for a united African-led approach to meet the continent’s agricultural goals, emphasizing that many member states lag in achieving the Malabo Declaration’s aims.
Uganda’s Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Chair of the STC, stressed the importance of a focused, action-oriented post-Malabo agenda. “We need actionable commitments from all member states to ensure food security and agricultural transformation for all Africans,” he stated.
A major point of discussion was the Africa Food Safety Agency, proposed for endorsement during this session. Amb. Josefa Sacko highlighted its importance to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), ensuring that African agricultural products meet global standards.
The session will continue with critical discussions among African Ministers, development partners, and stakeholders, with outcomes setting the stage for the African Union Special Summit in January 2025 in Kampala, Uganda.
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ABOUT The CAAPs
The Common African Agro-Parks Programme (CAAPs) was initiated in 2019 as one of the concrete initiatives of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Programme (CAADP) to be implemented within the framework of the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 in order to achieve the CAADP Malabo commitments, particularly the commitment to “triple intra-African trade in agricultural commodities and services.”
For more information, kindly visit www.faraafrica.org/caaps, join the #CAAPs Community of Practice via https://faraafrica.community/caaps/join or
contact #CAAPs Coordinator Anselme Vodounhessi [email protected]