Celebration of Africa Day in Brussels: FAO stresses continued commitment to AU Member Countries in Policy and Practice

Nutrition, the AU Theme of 2022, was the main focus of this year’s Africa Day celebration, which was held virtually by the AU Representation in Brussels.

Opened by the AU Representative to the EU Ambassador Awad Sakine Ahmat, the event was moderated by the Ambassador of the Republic of Madagascar in Brussels and President of the African Group of Ambassadors Jean Omer Beriziky. A number of African ambassadors to the EU, as well as representatives from private sector and civil society attended the event.

The occasion featured presentations by FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Near East and North Africa, Abdulhakim El Waer and FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Africa Yurdi Yasmi.

During his presentation, El Waer addressed the issue of “Managing the future of food through proactive and evidence-based policies”. In his intervention, he noted that support to AU member countries on policy and practice, including relevant data analysis, extension services and information on early warning, is essential to cope with the climate hazards that have deeply affected agriculture and food security on the continent. “FAO has a key role to play in leveraging ICT practices in agriculture to achieve the four betters: better production, better environment, better nutrition and better lives, leaving no one behind”, El Waer told the meeting.

In the second presentation from FAO, Yasmi spoke on the theme of “Resilient nutrition and agrifood systems in Africa: Current state and future options”. In his address, he observed that 21% Africa’s population is currently undernourished, while three-quarters cannot afford healthy diets. Yasmi went on to describe FAO’s support to the AU Theme of 2022, through five pillars: using data for impact; using evidence on healthy diets; catalysing policy and actions; building capacity; and strengthening political commitment.

In addition, Yasmi outlined five FAO recommendations within the AU Year on Nutrition: (i) increasing incentives for nutritious and safe food; (ii) monitoring dietary consumption and access to safe, diverse and nutritious foods; (iii) protecting and empowering women and the poor; (iv) developing capacity of human resources and institutions; and (v) supporting multisector strategies to improve nutrition.