MEDIA ADVISORY

Fourth Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA) Partnership Platform Meeting (PPM) - 4^TH PACA-PPM

Theme: “A Decade of Partnership for Aflatoxin Control – Looking back to define the future of aflatoxin control in Africa”

INVITATION TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

What: In October 2012, the African Union (AU) Executive Council endorsed the establishment of the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA) to coordinate aflatoxin mitigation efforts in the continent. Since 2014, PACA has held the Partnership Platform Meeting every two years to engage stakeholders to assess the progress of PACA’s work, and develop new strategies. The 4th PACA PPM is thus scheduled as follows:

i. Opening Session

• Introductory  Remarks: Dr Janet Edeme, Head of Rural Development and Ag. Head of Agriculture and Food Security, African Union Commission. (AUC).
• Remarks by Representatives of the following stakeholders and partners: UADA -NEPAD,  Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA),  East African Community(EAC), The Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and  USAID.   
• Opening statement by Hon. Mithika Linturi, CS Agriculture and Livestock Development, Republic of Kenya.

2. Technical Sessions  on aflatoxin mitigation efforts in African countries.

When: 6^th-7^th December 2023 from 10:30 am -17.00 EAT

Where: Pan Pacific Serviced Suites, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya.  

Who: This meeting is being organised by PACA under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (DARBE)-African Union Commission.

Objective: The meeting hopes to achieve the following:

• Assess the progress made in implementing the PACA strategy and managing aflatoxins in Africa over the past decade and define a new continental strategy for controlling aflatoxins beyond 2023-2032.
• Share lessons, best practices, and experiences in aflatoxin mitigation efforts in the six pilot countries and identify ways to sustain momentum in the 12 new countries beyond PACA's direct support.
• Achieve consensus on integrating aflatoxin control and food safety into national strategies and regional roadmaps for scaling a holistic country-led model for aflatoxin control in Africa.

Participants: They include  Regional Economic Communities, officials of member state government ministries from agriculture, trade and health, farmers’ organisations, the private sector, civil society, development partners, and the African Union institutions, among others.

Background: The World Health Organization has classified Aflatoxins as "poisonous substances" that can seriously harm both human and livestock health. Aflatoxins are a global problem influenced by tropical climates within 40ºN and 40ºS of the equator. Unfortunately, Africa is particularly affected by this issue, which costs over USD 750 million annually. In Africa, Aflatoxin contamination mainly affects maize, groundnuts, and spices. This can harm animal health, decrease their performance, and lead to economic losses if used as animal feed. Furthermore, it can also pose a threat to food security by contaminating animal products like milk, meat, and eggs.

Registration Link:  https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcof-qvrDstG91GfNU6p1N7hloddsfIfHvT

For further enquiry, please contact:

Dr Amare Ayalew: Programme Manager, AUC-PACA , Amarea@africa-union.org

Ms Wezi Chunga: Senior Programme Officer, AUC-PACA: ChungaW@africa-union.org

For media enquiry

Ibrahim Gariba: Senior Communication Officer: AUC-PACA, GaribaI@africa-union.org

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

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org

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