PRESS RELEASE Nº 162/ 2015

COMMISIONER TUMUSIIME MEETS THE DIRECTOR OF THE GLOBAL PANEL ON NUTRITION

Addis Ababa- 14 July 2015- Her Excellency Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture at the African Union Commission has today met Prof. Sandy Thomas, the newly appointed Director of the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition. Commissioner is a member of this Panel which was set up during the UK Presidency of the G8 to advance evidence-based advocacy targeting policy makers, in favour of nutrition for the health and prosperity of individuals, households, communities and nations especially in the developing world including in Africa. The Panel is co-chaired by Sir John Beddington, former UK Chief Scientific Adviser, and John Kufuor, former President of Ghana.

Commissioner welcomed the Director and congratulated her upon her appointment and assured her of the full cooperation of the AUC and especially of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture. The Director briefed the Commissioner on the activities so far undertaken by the Panel and their visibility and impact. Commissioner commended the Panel for the work so far done well.

The Director then sought Commissioner’s perspectives for the improved performance of the Panel. The Commissioner called for, among others, support in strengthening country level capacities to mainstream and champion nutrition issues. The two agreed that, among others, the Panel could hold activities around relevant key AU events such as the Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security scheduled for 30 October 2015 in Kampala, Uganda and the First Meeting of the Specialised Technical Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development to be held in November this year.

They also agreed to reach out to other partners, both public and private, to support the pursuit of the objectives of the Panel. The Director also invited Commissioner to the Annual Meeting of the Panel due to take place on 16-17 November 2015 in Accra, Ghana and the follow up Panel Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Josue Dione, Senior Advisor of the Commissioner.

For further information and media inquiries:

Molalet Tsedeke

Media Center Coordinador, Directorate of Information and Communications, 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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