FAO at the Tenth Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development

The 2024 Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development takes place on the 23-25 April 2024, with side events and pre-events from 17-22 April. The annual intergovernmental forum aims to assess progress and exchange knowledge, best practices, and policy solutions to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in line with regional priorities.

Organized by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the Forum provides the space for an in-depth review of the Goals to be reviewed by the HLPF in 2024: SDG 1 (no poverty); SDG 2 (zero hunger); SDG 13 (climate action); SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions); and SDG 17 (partnership for the Goals). The Forum will also support presentation of voluntary national reviews (VNRs) at the 2024 HLPF. 

 

FAO participation at the Tenth Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development

 

Wednesday 17 APRIL  | 11:30-13:00 (GMT+3)

Side event: Multi-stakeholder dialogue: the human rights-based approach to food systems transformations as an accelerator of African Union Agenda 2063 and United Nations Agenda

This event commemorated the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Voluntary Guidelines for the Progressive Realization of the Right to Adequate Food, marking a significant milestone in the journey towards achieving food security and sustainable development. By leveraging the HRBA, the dialogue addressed the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, emphasizing the need for strategic support for small-scale farmers and fishers. Key lessons learnt and good practices on measures that member states, other duty bearers and rights holders need to undertake to apply an HRBA to food system transformations were shared to inform the outcome of the ARFSD-10. 

LINKS: EVENT WEBSITE

 

Wednesday 17 APRIL | 11:30-13:00 (GMT+3)

Side event: Food Systems Transformation as an Accelerator for Agenda 2030 and AU 2063 Implementation in Africa: Lessons and Insights from the Frontline

Organized by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, UNECA and FAO,  this event harnessed the insights gained during the 2023 UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+2), spotlighting the critical role of sustainable, inclusive, nutritious, and resilient food systems in achieving the 2030 Agenda goals. It  highlighted the pivotal importance of food systems in ensuring sustainability across individual, environmental and economic domains, anchored by the Africa Common Position on Food Systems with a focused call for climate resilience. The session built on past discussions, identifying essential national and regional actions needed for an effective transformation. It emphasized aligning these efforts with climate action to boost food security and resilience. Featuring keynotes and a moderated panel discussion with diverse stakeholders from African countries, the African Union, ECA, government, National Convenors, Civil Society Organizations (CSO), and the private sector, the event offered a rich platform for sharing experiences, best practices, and policy innovations. With a forward-looking approach towards post-Malabo planning and the 2025 Roadmap, the side event underscored the critical role of National Convenors in aligning food system transformations with the 2030 Agenda, contributing significantly to the review of the SDGs and strengthening ARFSD outcomes through strategic food systems transformation and climate action integration.

LINKS: EVENT WEBSITE | Concept Note

 

 

Monday 22 APRIL | 09:00-17:00 (GMT+3)

Africa Food Systems Transformation Progress Review

The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and FAO convened Food Systems National Convenors and other experts from across Africa to assess the progress made in transforming food systems, facilitate regional knowledge sharing, and identify emerging patterns and solutions. The meeting built on the UNFSS+2 and the Regional Preparatory Meeting in Africa that took place on February 2023, looking at the regional priorities and good practices to transform the region's food system and map across the six actions areas of the Secretary General’s Call-to-Action at the UNFSS+2 on the way forward. The core of the meeting was a review of progress, with the aim of fostering regional collaboration and knowledge sharing amongst National Convenors and stakeholders in the ecosystem of support (EoS) in the region. The regional meeting brought together National Convenors from African countries, practitioners, and civil society members involved in the food systems transformation and climate action, as well as concerned regional and international organizations and academia.  A summary report from the meeting will be produced, that will include the shared outcomes among participating countries and stakeholders to strengthen their collaborative efforts in the transformation of food systems.

LINKS: EVENT WEBSITE 

 

 

Wednesday 24 APRIL | 09:00-10:30 (GMT+3)

Side event: Innovative financing for sustainable, resilient agrifood systems in Africa

Jointly organised by FAO,  the Ministry of Agriculture Ethiopia, UNECA, IFAD and the African Union, this side event shed a light on harnessing he potential of innovative financing towards sustainable and resilient agrifood systems in Africa. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEDNESDAY 24 APRIL | 11:00-12:30 (GMT+3)

Parallel meetings for an in-depth review of progress made, peer learning and acceleration actions regarding the sub-themes of the Regional Forum - Zero Hunger

FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, Abebe Haile Gabriel, moderated a meeting dedicated to an in-dept review of progress made, peer learning and acceleration actions regarding Zero Hunger.

SDG 2 is one of the Goals under review in 2024. This panel discussion facilitated knowledge and experience exchange among Members on current and innovative policies and practices, through a multi-stakeholder, participatory and inclusive dialogue.

 

 

 

Panellists included:

• Minister of Agriculture, Ethiopia, Girma Amente
• Special Envoy for Food Systems, African Union, Ibrahim Mayaki
• Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, African Union Commission, Josefa Sacko
• Strategic Director, Skills, Systems and Synergies for Sustainable Development (4SD) Foundation, David Nabarro
• Director, African Union Global Office of the World Food Programme, and Representative to the African Union and ECA, Hameed Nuru
• Chief of Nutrition, United Nations Children’s Fund in Ethiopia, Stanley Chitekwe
• Senior Coordinator, Office of the Director General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and Programme Coordinator, United Nations Food Systems Coordination Hub, Khaled El Taweel
• President, Amaya A.G., France, Mabrouk Aib
• Head of Agricultural and Environmental Strategy, Enda Tamweel, Tunisia, Kheireddine Kahia
• Resident Coordinator, Zambia, Beatrice Mutali

LINKS: BACKGROUND PAPER ON SDG2- ZERO HUNGER

WEDNESDAY 24 APRIL | 11:00-12:30 (GMT+3)

Parallel meetings for an in-depth review of progress made, peer learning and acceleration actions regarding the sub-themes of the Regional Forum - Climate Action

FAO, represented by Natalia Galat, Office of Sustainable Development Goals, participated in the Tenth Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development discussion on "Climate Action."

SDG 13  is one of the Goals under review in 2024. This panel discussion facilitated knowledge and experience exchange among Members on current and innovative policies and practices, through a multi-stakeholder, participatory and inclusive dialogue.

LINKS:  READ THE FULL FAO STATEMENT |  BACKGROUND PAPER ON SDG13- Climate Action

 

 

 

 

Thursday  25 APRIL | 09:00-10:30 (GMT+3)

Plenary round-table panel on leveraging science, technology, innovation and digital transformation for poverty reduction and reinforcement of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063

FAO will participate in the Tenth Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development Plenary round-table panel on "Leveraging science, technology, innovation and digital transformation for poverty reduction and reinforcement of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063".

LINKS: WATCH LIVE | READ THE FULL FAO STATEMENT