The 33rd session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa concluded with a strong declaration from African nations, pledging to work together to improve their agriculture and food systems. The three-day conference brought together ministers of agriculture, livestock, fisheries, forestry, and other relevant stakeholders from 54 African countries, alongside civil society, private sector representatives, and development partners.
Renewed focus on “Four Betters”
The conference culminated in a unanimous declaration expressing concerns about Africa’s progress towards food security and nutrition goals outlined in the Malabo Commitments and the Sustainable Development Goals. Delegates reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the FAO’s “Four Betters” framework:
- “Better production:” This includes building resilience against climate shocks and promoting sustainable aquaculture through “Blue Transformation” initiatives.
- “Better nutrition:” This entails reviving underutilised African crops and fostering inclusive rural transformation to ensure everyone has access to nutritious food.
- “A better environment:” Sustainable agricultural practices that protect the environment were a key focus area.
- “A better life:” The conference emphasised the importance of improving livelihoods in rural communities across Africa.
Collaboration for success
Ministers highlighted the importance of collaboration between African nations, civil society, and the private sector to achieve these goals. FAO Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo, speaking on behalf of Director-General Qu Dongyu, echoed this sentiment:
“We have just six years until the 2030 deadline,” Semedo said. “We must walk the talk. It’s imperative, as we’ve discussed at this conference, that we leverage science, innovation, digital tools and strategic partnerships to drive agrifood systems transformation in Africa.”
FAO’s role in transformation
The conference highlighted several FAO initiatives designed to support African countries, including the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, One Country One Priority Product, the Green Cities Initiative, and 1 000 Digital Villages. These programmes are seen as valuable tools for accelerating development across the continent.
The outcomes of the conference will inform FAO’s strategic planning for Africa over the next two years and will be presented for global endorsement at the FAO global conference later this year.
Expressing deep appreciation to Morocco for hosting the conference, Semedo concluded by emphasising the importance of shared learning and collaboration.
“Sharing and learning from one another is vital to lift up the whole continent and South-South collaboration is an important tool… Let’s move forward with a sense of urgency and a commitment to make real change for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life in Africa,” she said.
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