African Union and European Union talk sustainable food systems

The fourth African Union (AU) – European Union (EU) agricultural ministerial conference enjoyed the participation of EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski and  AU Commissioner for rural economy and agriculture, Josefa Sacko, as well as many AU and EU agriculture ministers and other high-level officials.

The meeting was held under Portugal’s EU Council Presidency and participants exchanged views on the development of more sustainable food systems in the context of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski observed that the conference provides an insightful overview of the EU-AU cooperation in agriculture, and also offers an opportunity to exchange views, take stock of ongoing initiatives, while looking forward to food systems transformation. He further stressed the synergies reflected in the AU Agenda 2063 and the EU Comprehensive Strategy with Africa.

FAO Senior Economist James Tefft intervened at the first session and stressed that responsible agricultural investments are key enablers of a transition towards social, environmental and economic sustainability.

Particular attention was given to the importance of human capital and the need to create jobs, provide opportunities for capacity-building and access to finance to SMEs, smallholder and family farmers. Tefft also pointed to a comprehensive value chain approach, where all stakeholders throughout the value chain are empowered.

More information on the ministerial conference is available here.