5th AU–EU Agriculture Ministerial Conference “Resilient food systems and sustainable agri-value chains”

5th AU–EU Agriculture Ministerial Conference 

“Resilient food systems and sustainable agri-value chains” 

Statement

By

Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General 

30 June 2023

 

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

 

I am happy to host you at FAO because this is your Organization, and it provides a platform for all its Members to meet and discuss.

 

Multiple shocks continue to have profound impacts on Africa and its agrifood systems.

 

These include: climate extremes, increased energy costs, high food prices, ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts and instability, and the war in Ukraine.

 

An over-dependence on imports of food and agricultural inputs has deepened vulnerabilities to these shocks, which are slowing down Africa’s journey towards peace and prosperity.

 

But the countries of this continent have the will and resources to overcome these challenges and accelerate their steps.

 

Africa’s abundant natural resources, youth, culture, diversity, traditions, knowledge and women are the strengths of this promising Continent.

 

To achieve the SDGs, global agrifood systems need to be more efficient, more inclusive more resilient and more sustainable.

 

This transformation is critical for the Africa 2063 Agenda – and the Africa we all want.

 

Agrifood systems are particularly important for women.

 

In sub-Saharan Africa, 66% of women’s employment is in agrifood systems, especially for young women, compared with 60% for men.

 

Closing gender gaps in agrifood systems will enhance the well-being of women and their households, reduce hunger and boost incomes.

 

Investing in agrifood systems with a focus on the youth will also have positive impacts on youth employment and entrepreneurship.

 

Facilitated by the European Union, FAO recently hosted 44 young African researchers and scientists, who will contribute to finding innovative and sustainable solutions to the challenges facing their Continent.

 

FAO is open to collaborate on more exchanges for the youth because the youth must have an active role as agents of change.

 

Since taking office, I have established the FAO Youth Committee and the FAO Women’s Committee who are now leading the dynamic for change in the Organization.

 

Youth are the future!

 

In Africa, we know that it takes a village to raise a child – and we must work together as a global village to ensure a better future for all Africa’s children.

 

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Dear Friends,

 

The core objective of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 is to support Members to transform their agrifood systems to achieve the 2030 Agenda.

 

The Four Betters – Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life - need more intensive, accelerated, scaled-up and collective action together – to ensure no one is left behind.

 

We need to boost investments, science and technology.

 

We also need to cut greenhouse gas emissions globally, as agriculture is heavily affected by the impacts of the climate crisis – and Africa is no exception.

 

To help get the job done, FAO has developed three important strategies, among others, namely: the Strategy on Climate Change, on Science and Innovation, on Private Sector Engagement, and the Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors.

 

FAO will work at global, regional and local level to implement these strategies, in line with their Actions Plans in the years to come, in a coherent manner.

 

The UN Food Systems +2 Stocktaking Moment hosted in FAO from 24 to 26 July, the UN SDG Summit in New York in September, and the World Food Forum in October at FAO, are key international fora which can facilitate implementation of our collective priorities.

 

The World Food Forum last year, composed of three key segments - Youth Forum, Investment Forum, and the Science and Investment Forum - attracted more than 41 000 participants, with 6000 physically in Rome.

 

This is an open and impactful forum for you and I encourage all of you to make use of this important platform, which will bring together key partners and cross-ministerial representatives.

 

And one of our key partners is the African Union Commission.

 

On 16 April 2020 we held the first fully virtual meeting of African Ministers – a true reflection of the new Digital FAO. It was an important meeting not only to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to usher in a new and environmentally friendly multilateral process.

 

The Malabo Declaration is Africa’s blueprint for agrifood systems transformation.

 

FAO is committed to continue providing all the technical support needed for its implementation, even beyond its planned deadline, as well as within the context of the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme, and in partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, and other regional bodies.

 

I am really pleased to see the EU supporting Africa to improve their capacity and implement the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) enabling African farmers to access markets.

 

FAO looks forward to continuing to play a catalytic role in deepening collaboration between the AU and EU, and all FAO Members across continents.

 

Let us continue to work together to achieve the transformation of Africa’s agrifood systems.

 

Thinking together, learning together and contributing together for the people we serve!

 

Thank you.