The Fourth Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (ARDWE) of the African Union Commission (AUC) came off between 13^th -16^th December 2021, leading to the endorsement of more than 20 reports on new proposals that would collectively help to improve agriculture and its related activities in the continent. 

The STC on ARDWE comprise of ministers and senior government officials from Member States responsible for agriculture, water and environment and other related industries in their respective countries.

The committee is one of the six of such STCs identified as an organ of the AUC assigned with the responsibility to ensure the effective development and implementation of projects and programmes of the departments. The virtual meeting of the STC on ARDWE was therefore organised under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Development (DARBE) of the AUC.

The committee meets biennially to adopt new programmes, give directions and elect the secretariat of the committee known as the “Bureau of the STC” from among the Member States to stir the affairs of the department for two years.

Some of the adopted reports include: The CAADP Business Plan 2022-2025; The Food Safety Strategy for Africa; The Plant Health Strategy for Africa; The Revised Proposal for the Establishment of an African Union Food Safety Agency (AFSA); Strategy for Managing Invasive Species in Africa 2021–2030; and the Declaration on Food Fortification and Bio-fortification in Africa

Others include:  The African Agribusiness Youth Strategy (AAYS), The Land Governance Strategy; The Establishment of Five Regional Gene Banks for Conservation and Utilization of Animal Genetic Resources; The Revised Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology, (Weather and Climate Services) (2021-2030);  and the Africa Institutional Framework for Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action among others.

Besides, the endorsement of the new proposals, the meeting also took note of progress reports of decisions and programmes of the previous STCs, which are being implemented by the department.

The meeting,  held in two parts,  involved  a three day (13-15 December) parallel meetings  of senior technical experts from Member States from three thematic areas   (i). Agriculture, Food Security and Rural Development, (ii). Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy and (iii) Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture, that evaluated the proposals and programmes presented by the department.  

A ministerial meeting was held on the 16th December, and was attended by over 35 ministers   and representatives of agriculture and related areas in the member states.  The meeting was characterized by the following:  Endorsement of the accepted proposals of the experts; Handing over of the Chair of the 3rd STC Bureau by South Africa to Egypt as the chair of    4th STC bureau  and the  launch of a ‘Multi-Hazards Early Warning System and Early Action Continental Situation Room” at the AUC, with support from development partners. It is aimed at providing ‘life-saving early warning services covering multiple hazards to all AU Member States”.

Amb. Josefa Sacko, AUC Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment in her remarks commended the outgoing 3rd STC Bureau led by South Africa for the leadership and directives which had led to the development and successful implementation of more than 20 programmes in the continent.

All these programmes, she intimated, would holistically lead to improved agriculture production and advance the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods, as well as, Agenda 2063.

Ms Thoko Didiza; South Africa Minister for Minister for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development  and the  Chair of the outing going 3rd  STC Bureau said  COVID- 19  had exposed the  challenges of  Africa food systems, which were already burden by other shocks such as climatic change, fall army worm,  and pest and locust invasions.

She said even though Africa has been able to marginally manage the situation through effective commitment and leadership of Member States, but robust resilience systems are required to address the situation.

Egypt Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, El Sayed Al Quseir, who is the new chair of the 4th STC Bureau, among others, called for an effective and sustainable   environmental   effort to protect the continent from the challenges of changing climatic conditions, especially on agriculture production.

For further information please contact: 

Dr Simplice Nouala; Head of Division, Agriculture and Food Safety (AUC) - NoualaS@africa-union.org

For media enquiry contact:

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission
Tel: +251 115 517 700 | E-mail: Your Email | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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