May 12th, 2020; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: The African Union Commission (AUC) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) co-convened the 1st meeting of the Taskforce on COVID-19 impact on Food Security and Nutrition in Africa.
The taskforce was launched to implement the recommendations adopted by African Ministers of Agriculture on food security and nutrition outlining priorities of the sector as part of the continental response to COVID-19.

AUC Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, H.E Amb. Josefa Sacko and FAO Director General Qu Dongyu co-convened the virtual meeting with South African Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Hon. Angela Thoko Didiza.

The Taskforce agreed on the need for a coordinated and holistic approach, concrete actions, innovation and digital technologies to help AU member states cope with the new realities of the COVID-19, while maintaining their socio-economic statuses and growth.

Members of the Taskforce include AUC; AUDA-NEPAD FAO, European Union Commission, World Bank and the African Development Bank.

The Taskforce will, once a month report to the AU’s Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment.

For media queries:
Ms. Carol Jilombo
CAADP Communications
Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture
JilomboC@africa-union.org