Africa Regional Group Chair Handover Ceremony Statement

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is always a pleasure for me to participate in meetings of the Africa Regional Group because as you know Africa holds a special place in my heart and is an important focus of FAO’s work.

Today’s event is significant as it will see the handover of the Chair of the Africa Regional Group of Permanent Representatives to FAO and the other UN agencies based in Rome.

Firstly, I wish to thank all the members of the Group for the important collaboration with each of you individually and collectively.

Secondly, I wish to thank the outgoing Chair, the Ambassador of South Africa, Her Excellency Nosipho Jezile, for the fruitful collaboration over the past year.

And, thirdly, I congratulate and look forward to continuing this strategic collaboration with the incoming Chair, the Ambassador of Niger Her Excellency Fatimata Cheiffou.

Two extraordinary ladies that have led and will continue to lead the Africa Regional Group with great expertise, dedication, and passion.

Dear Friends,

The contribution of the Africa Regional Group to the Governance of the Organization continues to be fundamental.

In particular, I wish to applaud the Africa Regional Group’s constructive participation and guidance leading to the endorsement of the historic increased budget level, and to the Programme of Work and Budget 2024-25.

The Africa Group has also been playing an important role in preparations for the upcoming 33rd Africa Regional Ministerial Conference to be hosted in Morocco.

The regional conference will identify regional priorities in addressing the evolving context, challenges, and gaps on the Continent and to ensure that they are integrated into FAO’s programme of work.

It is in Africa where sustainable agrifood systems transformation will make the largest impact, not only for the Continent, but also globally.

With its young population, rich natural resources and biodiversity, Africa has vast potential.

Africa annually imports approximately USD 40-50 billion’s worth of food.

Harnessing the power of this big domestic food market can spur increased production and rural transformation. 

Successful implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement could result in a 20 to 30 percent increase in intra-regional trade in agricultural products by 2040. 

With this largely untapped potential and the rich promise for agrifood systems transformation, working closely with Africa, the African Union, the regional economic communities, and all partners is essential.

FAO strongly supports the Agenda 2063 and will continue to work closely with the region to achieve its objectives, together with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs.

Important joint work includes:

• assessment of the Malabo Declaration's Implementation, including identification of gaps and the need to define the post-Malabo 10-year plan;
• Home Grown School Feeding and climate adaptation, particularly to control the impact of droughts; and
• effective implementation of the Africa Climate Change and Resilient Recovery Action Plan.

All three priorities are included in the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We need to think innovatively, be action-oriented, and results-targeted to change and accelerate national and global pathways towards achieving more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable agrifood systems.

The complex challenges that we face as an international community mean we must work better, together.

Together with the Africa Regional Group, as well as the other regional groups, FAO will continue to make every effort to provide you with the best technical, professional support to achieve the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Together with my Core Leadership Team, we look forward to working even more closely with you.

While conveying my best wishes to the incoming Chair of the Africa Regional Group, I am confident that she will steer the Group to even greater heights in pursuit of agrifood systems transformation in Africa – for the wellbeing of all Africans, for the prosperity of everyone on the Continent, and for the Planet.

You can count on me and all FAO employees to support you as you carry out your duties.

Thank you.