Agrifood Systems Transformation at the heart of the Renewed Partnership between the Government of Flanders (Belgium) and Malawi
Since 2007, the Regional Government of Flanders (Belgium) and Malawi have been working together in the agricultural field, with FAO involved as an implementing partner.
The latest Country Strategy Paper for the Flanders-Malawi Cooperation for 2024-2028 was launched in early November in Malawi’s capital Lilongwe and is now celebrated in Brussels. The paper foresees an investment of 25 million euros in Malawi by the Government of Flanders (Belgium) over a 5-year period.
The opening ceremony saw speeches by Richard Chiputula, the Deputy Head of Mission of Malawi’s Embassy in Belgium, and by the Secretary General of the Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office, Julie Bynens.
Raschad Al-Khafaji, Director of FAO Brussels Liaison Office with the European Union and Belgium, alluded to the long-standing cooperation of FAO with the Government of Flanders (Belgium) and underlined that the Strategy Paper continues to have the transformation of agrifood systems at its core. A transformation that aims to make agrifood systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
Minister-President of Flanders, Jan Jambon, delivered the closing address.
In accordance with the Belgian Constitution, Flanders concludes treaties and acts internationally in all areas for which it has internal jurisdiction.
Since 2021, the collaboration between FAO and the Government of Flanders has been formalized through a framework agreement. This agreement facilitates technical assistance, technology, and knowledge transfer, as well as policy dialogue on key areas such as sustainable agriculture, land management, forestry, and fisheries, agricultural innovation, inclusive agrifood systems, resilience, rural employment, and combating biodiversity loss. A significant aspect of the partnership is the Flanders Trainee Programme, in which young graduates from Flemish universities are supported to undertake internships at FAO.