Events

African Union Hosts African Green Revolution Forum

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – September 3, 2014 –AU Chairperson H.E Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma welcomed public and private sector participants to the African Union Commission Headquarters for the fourth African Green Revolution Forum. This year’s forum is organized around the AU designated ‘Year of Agriculture and Food Security’ and a new political will to achieve sustainable food and nutritional security across the continent.
“At the recent African Union summit in Malabo, African leaders pledged to put agriculture at the top of national development agendas through the commitment to specific and ambitious targets,” said Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. “The challenge now is to lay out the roadmap so collectively we work to meet these targets. This forum is timely and critical as public and private sector leaders gather to discuss how we work together to accelerate agricultural transformation in Africa.”
With the Malabo Declaration, African leaders have strengthened their commitment to actively support agriculture as a means to achieve food and nutrition security and bring shared prosperity to all Africans. They have now agreed to very specific targets which identify the priorities for investment. The new targets will push governments to move faster in creating a policy and infrastructure environment in which agriculture can thrive and generate income opportunities at all levels.
“We must be accountable for commitments we make. We must all believe and embrace the fact now it’s in our hands,” said Dr. Dlamini Zuma.
The Malabo Declaration commits African Union member states to:
• Recommit to the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) process
• Increase both public and private investment finance in agriculture
• End hunger in Africa by 2025
• Halve poverty by 2025 through inclusive agricultural growth and transformation
• Boost intra-Africa trade in agricultural commodities and services
• Enhance resilience of livelihoods and production systems to climate change variability and other related risks
• Commit to mutual accountability to actions and results

Through CAADP, the African Union will drive and measure progress so that countries, and their leaders, are held accountable for results. The declaration committed African leaders to a systematic regular review process, using the CAADP Results Framework. The leaders further called for an immediate design of a strategy and roadmap for implementation of these comments.
CAADP has been instrumental in galvanizing African countries to reform, modernize and achieve economic growth through agriculture-led development. Ten years after its introduction, 50 out of 54 countries are using the CAADP framework in their agricultural transformation planning. Over the next ten years, CAADP will be critical to measure and report on progress to hold governments accountable for their commitments.

For more information, please contact:
Boaz Blackie Keizire, Head Agriculture and Food Security, African Union Commission
KeizireB@africa-Union.org

Ms Carol Jilombo
Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, AUC; E-mail: Jilomboc@africa-union.orgg

Media contact:
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Directorate of Information and Communication, AUC; molalett@africa-union.org; +251-911-630631

For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.orgg I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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Final Communiqué
Second Africa Drylands Week

N’Djamena, Chad 29 August 2014 - The Second Africa Drylands Week was held from 25 to 29 August 2014 in N’Djamena, Republic of Chad. It was organized by the African Union Commission and the Government of Chad, in collaboration with FAO, CILSS, UNCCD; SOS Sahel, the Pan African Agency of the Great Green Wall and the African Forest Forum. The second Africa Drylands Week was held three years after the first one held in Dakar, Senegal in 2011. It gathered two hundred people, including decision makers such as President Buyoya, former President of the Republic of Burundi and High Representative of the African Union in Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL), the ministers in charge of environment in Chad, Ethiopia and Sudan, as well as the Permanent Secretaries of Ministries in charge of Environment in Chad and Mauritania, and parliamentarians, including two from Cameroon.
Participants reviewed successes as well as challenges facing drylands development, including sustainable land management.
In particular, they reviewed the tremendous advances in land regeneration that have already been made by millions of farm families in the Sahel, and in Eastern and Southern Africa, by applying the principles of Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) of trees on their croplands, and by communities in regenerating their forest and grazing lands through Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR). It was noted that these practices have created multiple benefits in food security, resilience and adaptation to climate change, and the restoration of the land and soils. It was also noted that these Ever-Green Agriculture practices are now widely recognized as Foundational Practices that can be applied universally in the drylands because they do not involve any cash investment by the farmers, and are complementary to all other improved agriculture and natural resource management practices.
The meeting also took note of the recent commitment of the Heads of State to ensure that 30% more households in Africa are resilient to climate change related risks (Malabo Decision, June 2014).
Participants noted the launch of the AU-NEPAD-INGO African Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance aligned with the new vision of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Results Framework, which envisages 25 million farmers in Africa practicing Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) during the next ten years (25 by 25 vision).
Therefore, they RECOMMEND AND PROPOSE that the drylands development community, through the African Union, and all collaborating and supporting organizations, commit seriously to achieving the goal of enabling EVERY farm family and EVERY village across the drylands of Africa to be practicing FMNR and ANR by the year 2025.
Regarding challenges, though still numerous, participants stressed on two main ones namely coordination among actors and between interventions, as well as financing.
The meeting recommends allocation of sufficient funds for capacity building of national and regional research institutions that can support management of drylands,
Participants emphasized the need for a multi-stakeholder approach to expert working group on desertification and sustainable land management to be convened by the AUC to ensure the inclusion of inputs of youth, women and also marginalized groups.
In several countries, the action programmes developed in the framework of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) or in the framework of CAADP are seen as programmes of Ministries of Environment or of Agriculture and not as National Action Programmes (NAPs). NAPs of UNCCD and Great Green Wall for the Sahara and the Sahel Initiative (GGWSSI) are often seen as programmes of the Ministries of Environment, while CAADP Investment plans at national level are seen as Investment plans of the Ministries of Agriculture.
Participants, therefore, recommend and propose that real efforts be developed to bring all stakeholders to consider these plans and programmes as joint and national programmes that should guide and/or serve as basis for designing their actions/interventions in rural areas, particularly in the drylands.
Regarding financing, participants agreed that the fight against desertification is a key component of sustainable development in Africa, particularly in Sub Saharan Africa. Desertification and land degradation are a global threat for all countries in the world, but the most vulnerable countries are African Countries and it is primarily the responsibility of African Governments to address it and to voice it in the international agenda/fora. It is the responsibility of the African leadership to mobilize resources, including from national budget to tackle it. In particular, within the framework of CAADP and in other international mechanisms that are critical for resources mobilization and allocation for development, they should give priority to Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought (DLDD) issues. As Pillar 1 of the CAADP, Sustainable Land and Water Management (SLWM) should be allocated a certain fixed amount of the financial resources mobilized for the implementation of CAADP.
The Commission of the African Union should regularly organize bilateral meetings with its partners to discuss Africa’s Development agenda and how to finance it through the various partnership like Africa – USA, Africa – China, Africa – Turkey, Africa – France, Africa – India, Africa – Brazil, Africa – EU, etc. Participants recommend and propose to the AUC to systematically include Drylands Development issues, particularly SLWM in the regional priorities it presents to its partners during these meetings.
Considering the importance of Gum Arabic in the Sahel, the meeting recommends the development of appropriate frameworks to promote the production and marketing of the product as well as exchange of experience between stakeholders and for AUC support to revitalize the Network of Gum Arabic and Resins Associations (NGARA).
The meeting recommends that the Africa Drylands Week be institutionalized by the African Union Assembly as a regular and sustained means of promoting development in drylands.
Africa’s development partners, including bilateral and multilateral partners, as well as Civil Society Organizations, are also called upon to enhance their support in the organization of the Africa Drylands Week.
Participants expressed their gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Chad, FAO; and all those partners who contributed to the success of this event.

For more information and media contact
Mr. MolaletTsedeke, Directorate of Information and Communication, AU Commission; Tel: +23566402998; E-mail: molalett@africa-union.org

Mr. Youssoupha MBENGUE, AU-SAFGRAD; Tel: +23562986434/+226 78 23 41 78
E-mail: MbengueY@africa-union.org

For further information contact
Directorate of information and communication /African union commission/ E- mail:dinfo@africa-union.org/Web site: www.au.int/ Addis Ababa / Ethiopia

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AUC launches continental SPS cluster committee

Midrand, South Africa- August 21, 2014: The African Union Commission today launched the Continental Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Committee, to chart a roadmap and guidelines for AU member States to protect human, animal and plant life from risks arising from the entry or spread of pests, from plant‐ or animal‐borne pests or diseases, or from additives, contaminants, toxins, or disease‐causing organisms in foods, beverages and foodstuffs.

The committee led by the AUC’s Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) comprises representatives from sister departments of the AUC, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development Agency and representatives from the Regional Economic Communities from across Africa. Representatives from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and the AUC’s Departments of Social Affairs and Trade and Industry, respectively are attending the two day meeting.

Opening the meeting to launch the committee, Dr. Josue Dione, Advisor to DREA Commissioner, H.E Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, highlighted the importance of concerted efforts to have a continental approach for tackling SPS issues and activities in Africa.

He said, “The AUC recognizes that addressing SPS issues is critical in boosting intra Africa trade and economic growth as articulated under pillar two and three of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).”

The continental SPS cluster committee is expected by the end of the two days to review and endorse the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the committee that was developed by the DREA-lead AU-SPS Cluster. The meeting will also develop a roadmap for the Continental SPS Committee and agree on the modus operandi of the Committee.

The launch of the committee was preceded by a two day meeting of the DREA-led AU-SPS cluster meeting, which was held to review the status of implementation of SPS activities by DREA and to review the Implementation of the Malabo AU Summit Decisions related to SPS and emerging issues.

At the AUC, a Central SPS-Cluster coordination unit based at the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture provides guidance on seamless implementation of SPS programs in line with the World Trade Organization (WTO) SPS Agreement. WTO SPS Agreement calls for governments to base their SPS measures on international standards, guidelines, and recommendations developed by international standard setting organizations (FAO, WHO and Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex). Promoting the use of international standards facilitates trade by harmonizing different Members’ SPS measures on as wide a basis as possible.

For further information contact :

Ms. Diana Akullo
AUC Policy Officer
DREA
AkulloD@africa-union.org

Experts’ Group Meeting on the Land Policy Initiative (LPI) Communications and Advocacy Strategy

Addis Ababa, August 21, 2014- The two-day Experts’ Group Meeting to validate the Communications and Advocacy Strategy for the Land Policy Initiative (LPI) opened today at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The LPI was established in 2006 as a joint initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the African Development Bank (AfDB). To date, the most prominent achievement to the LPI has been the development of a Framework and Guidelines on Land Policy in Africa (F&G), adopted by the African Heads of State and Government through a Declaration on Land Issues and Challenges in Africa, during the Thirteenth Ordinary Assembly of the African Union.

The communications and advocacy strategy provides strategic approaches in the design and dissemination of messages that can increase awareness, change attitudes and practices, and influence policies and legal framework on land matters. The strategy will support the LPI as it delivers on its mission of ensuring that all land users have equitable access to land, and that there is security of all bundles of land rights through effective partnerships, dialogue, and capacity building for participatory and consultative land policies. When fully implemented, the strategy will increase synergies of actions in the areas of land policy and governance and support Member States and RECs in developing, implementing, and monitoring inclusive land policies.

The main objectives of the validation meeting are to:
1. Review and discuss the draft communication and advocacy strategy against the key strategic objectives of the LPI;
2. Provide technical inputs to enrich the draft document for finalization;
3. Recommend additional ways to render the draft strategy more pertinent and effective;
4. Make proposals on actions and partnerships needed to implement the communications and advocacy strategy effectively.

It is expected that the Experts’ Group Meeting discussions, key messages, and recommendations will contribute substantively to the finalization of the LPI Communications and Advocacy Strategy.

The meeting is being attended by a group of experts in communications and/ or advocacy, representing various stakeholders and LPI partners: Regional Economic Communities (RECs), development partners, farmers’ and civil society organizations, academia, and LPI founding organizations (the African Union Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and the African Development Bank)..

For further information contact:

Mr. Gamal Ahmed Karrar
Directorate of Information and Communication
AU Commission
gamalk@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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Joint Press release
Africa-wide seed institution revives efforts to transform African seed systems
Abidjan, 18 August 2014 - The African Seed Network (ASN), created in 1998 by 40 African countries with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, has held its first Scientific and Technical Committee, and Governing Board meetings from 11 to 14 August 2014 in Abidjan, to discuss and define a continental strategy for developing effective and efficient seed systems in Africa.
Based in Abidjan, ASN is a unique pan-African seed-specialised institution created to serve as focal point for the coordination of all activities related to the Africa seed sector. Since then, challenges faced by the sector have grown in number and complexity, and the need for amore solid institution that guides the process of seed development and advocate for it is felt more than ever before.

Mandated by the African Union
During its first ten years of operation, ASN received demands from its member countries exceeding by far its capacities. Additional attention was put on the Network when in 2007 the African Union Commission (AUC) choseitfor hosting the newly defined African Seed and Biotechnology Programme (ASBP). Supported by the African Union (AU) 54 member states,ASBP provides a comprehensive framework for the seed sector development in the continent.Since then, and in spite of the crucial importance of seedsfor the overall wealth of the agricultural sector, ASN hasstruggled with inadequate resource base, loose membership and outdated mandate and structure.
“There is the need for an independent and strong structure that can tackle the current challenges of the seed sector development in Africa” said Janet Edeme, Head of the Rural Economy Division at AUC. “ASN has great comparative advantagesto take up those challenges, and the current restructuring that the institution is undergoing is the first step towards achieving significant transformations in the African seed sector”.
Restructuring
High level discussions between AU, FAO and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire resulted in appointing Dr KouameMiezan as the new Executive Director of ASN in December 2013. Taking this challenge at face value, Miezan started by gathering a task force of internationally renowned experts to help him with the renewal of the institution. As a result, on 11 and 12 August at Abidjaninternational seed professionalsand representatives of development partnerscame together for the first ASN Scientific andTechnical Committee meetingto debate on the best way to restructure, strengthen and run ASN for full and effective functioning including its lead role in the implementation of ASBP.

“Due to the highly technical nature of activities in the seed sector, it is necessary that ASN relies on a body of multidisciplinary experts encompassing the whole gamut of the seed sector components,” Miezan said. “But strategic oversight and far-reaching vision will be the key elementsin determining the success of this continent-wide enterprise.”
At a higher level of oversight, ASN has put in place a Governing Board made up of experts who have excelled in both technical and administrative domains of the seed sector. The ASN GoverningBoard, will meet once a year and, assisted with the outputs of the ASN Scientific and Technical Committee, will decide on all policy issues, agreements, budgets and staffing and major programmes and projects that are to be undertaken by ASN.
The first meeting of the GoverningBoard was held on 13 and 14 August, and allowed firm decisions on the various aspects, among which:
• the revision of ASN’s mission, vision, structure and strategy;
• the current state of ASN membership and ways towards its consolidation and expansion;
• thecurrent state of ASN finances and possible ways of resource mobilization.

Resolutions
The meetings paid tribute to the Ivorian government which has sustained ASN during its difficult formative years and still continues support.
The meetings have led to the validation of acomprehensive strategyon seed sector development aiming at increasing quantity and quality of seeds available to farmers.
Other decisions relating to the strengthening and restructuring of ASN were also adopted.
The need to rename the Africa Seed Network was also felt due to the major structural and functional changes that had been decided, and therefore the Governing Board discussed the issue and agreed that the new name should from now on be “AfricaSeeds”.
A major achievement of the four-day meetings has been the adoption by ASN of the resolution to actively and effectively contribute to AU’s goal to achieve sustainable food and nutrition security by 2025 through the strengthening of national seed systems.
For more info, please contact:
Dr KouameMiezan, Executive Director of AfricaSeeds (formerly the African Seed Network)
Email: k.miezan@africa-seeds.org
Phone: +225 22 52 57 79 / +225 08 40 88 44

Dr Janet Edeme, Head of the Rural Economy Division of the African Union Commission
Email: EdemeJ@africa-union.org ;Phone: +251 11 518 28 55 / +251 911 68 31 26