MEDIA ADVISORY
AFRICAN UNION COMMEMORATION OF WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY
INVITATION TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES
WHAT: The Africa Union would commemorate the World Food Safety Day at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa. The UN General Assembly in December 2018 designated every 7 June as World Food Safety Day. The day is marked to bring to the attention of the world the dangers of unsafe food to the global population and also bring to the spotlight, how to help prevent and manage foodborne risks. The celebration by the AU is therefore in the spirit of promoting the ideals of food safety as espoused by the UN General Assembly.
The media is invited to cover the occasion. Other interested stakeholders are invited.
WHEN: 7 June 2019; 10.30 am
WHERE: African Union (AU) Headquarters, Old Conference Building.
WHO: The following persons would address or make remarks at the programme:
· H.E. Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission;
· Minister of Health – Ethiopia;
· H.E. Amb. Josefa Leonel Sacko, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, AUC;
· H.E. Amira Elfadil Mohammed Elfadil, Commissioner for Social Affairs, AUC;
· H.E Albert M. Muchanga - Commissioner for Trade and Industry, AUC; and
· Chairperson of the Permanent Representative Council (PRC) to the AU.
How: A Public Policy Dialogue on food safety will be held to be attended by members of the PRC, AU Political leaders, AUC staff and partner organizations.
WHY: Food safety has a critical role in ensuring that food stays safe at every stage of the food chain. Yet, it is estimated that 600 million cases of foodborne illnesses are recorded annually and 3 million people die every year from food and waterborne diseases.
The burden of unsafe foods is most felt in Africa. According to the World Health Organization, (WHO), 91 million people fall ill each year due to food-borne diseases and 137,000 die of the same cause. This represent one-third of the global death toll even though Africa accounts for only 16% of the global population.
Cognizant of the urgent need to raise awareness at all levels, and to promote and facilitate actions for global food safety, the General Assembly decided to designate 7 June as World Food Safety Day
The day has become more important to the AU because participants of the First FAO/WHO/AU International Conference on Food Safety in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, highlighted the integral role of food safety in achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the AU Agenda 2063, particularly, the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
EXPECTED OUTCOMES:
To raise awareness on food safety among the African population.
Kick start sensitization and buy-in of major policy makers in the continent about food safety.
Contact: For more information
PACA Secretariat;
Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, AU Commission
Email: paca@africa-union.org; foodsafety@africa-union.org
