Addis Ababa: 20 November 2015 - Over the past three days, the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the Food Security Information Network (FSIN), a partner initiative between FAO, WFP and IFPRI, held a technical consultation themed “Food and Nutrition Security and Resilience Analysis: Are we effectively using the right data?,” in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The objective of the Consultation was to launch a process leading to development of a framework to strengthen national food security and nutrition information systems and statistical capacities, to enhance evidence-based decision making and policy monitoring in the region.

In his concluding remarks at the closure of the Consultation, Mr. Laila Lokosang, CAADP Advisor for Food and Nutrition Security, representing AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, H.E Tumusiime Rhoda Peace underscored that the African Leadership had already made firm commitments on issues of improving Africa’s capacity for generating data and information to facilitate evidence-based policy development and tracking of progress of implementation of planned activities.

“The onus is, therefore, on all of us, working together as experts, to ensure that such commitments are followed through,” he said.

Over 80 technical experts, practitioners and decision makers from regional and national institutions, UN agencies, academia, NGOs and the private sector participated and contributed to the discussions around the following topics: food and nutrition security analysis; resilience analysis; data governance and institutional capacities and innovative means to collect and use data.

Strong participation from AU Member States ensured that country level needs provided the basis for the expected framework. Participants worked on a concrete set of recommendations that shall be taken forward. The Technical Consultation concluded with firm recommendations for action by AU Commission, FSIN and Member States. A principal recommendation is for AUC to lead a process for developing a framework for improving food and nutrition security information systems, data analysis and access.

For more information places visit the web site: www.fsincop.net/fsin-aucor contact Mr. Laila Lokosang at LokosangL@africa-union.org

Media Contact:

Carol Jilombo, Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, AUC; Jilomboc@africa-union.org

Molalet Tsedeke; Directorate of Information and Communication, AUC; molalett@africa-union.org;

For further information contact

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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