Events

Press Release Nº108/2014
Commissioner Tumusiime receives members of the Global Panel on Food Systems for Nutrition
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 16 May 2014- African Union Commission’s Rural Economy and Agriculture, Commissioner, H.E Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, yesterday 15 May 2014 received some members of the Global Panel on Food Systems for Nutrition of which she is a member. The Panel members, who included Emmy Simmons and Lynn Brown, were accompanied by the Secretary to the Panel Prof. Jeff Waage, who is also Director of the London International Development Centre in the U.K.
They discussed strategies for heightening the engagement of the Panel in the upcoming global events relevant to the advancement of nutrition. These include but are not limited to an event of the Panel in October in Brussels, an event at the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) in November in Rome and the Africa day for Food and Nutrition Security in October.
The Panel members expressed their need to use the avenues to showcase nutrition best practices and success stories in the process of highlighting the importance of food systems for nutrition, nutrition for health and prosperity and also to influence policy making processes to integrate nutrition at priority level.
Commissioner Tumusiime also briefed the Panel members on the emphasis being placed on nutrition, by African leaders, Ministers and Presidents, in their new recommitments for African agricultural transformation.
She welcomed the interventions of the Panel as befitting especially for the 2014 AU Year of Agriculture and Food Security and also for the UN International year of Family Farming.
Media contact:

Ms. Carol Jilombo; Jilomboc@africa-union.org; Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke; molalett@africa-union.org; Department of Information and Communication

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
Follow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission

Learn more at:
http://www.au.int

PRESS RELEASE Nº107/2014
COMMISIOINER TUMUSIIME RECEIVES CODEX ALIMENTARIUS DELEGATION
Addis Ababa, 16 May 2014- Her Excellency Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture received today, Dr. Awilo Ochieng Pernet, the Vice Chairperson of Codex Alimentarius Commission who came to see her, accompanied by H.E. Andreas Semadeni, the Ambassador of Switzerland to the African Union, and Ambassador Thomas Jemmi, Deputy Director-General, Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO).

They discussed issues pertaining to the work of Codex Alimentarius and the role the Africa Group of Permanent Representatives in Geneva is playing advancing the interests of Africa including contributing to the formulation of the global food safety standards. They further discussed possibilities of enhancing collaboration between the Codex Alimentarius and the African Union Commission and strengthening the capacity of African experts to participate more effectively in the Codex Alimentarius processes.

Ms Awilo was also introduced as a candidate for Chair of Codex Alimentarius for 2014-2017. The elections are scheduled for July 2014 in Geneva on the margins of the Meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission that brings together experts and policy makers on food safety and standards which are critical for better health and international trade.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission, established by FAO and WHO in 1963 develops harmonized international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice to protect the health of the consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade. The Commission also promotes coordination of all food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations.

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
Follow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission

Learn more at:
http://www.au.int

INVITATION TO THE MEDIA

Press Conference of the AU Joint Conference of Ministers of Agriculture and Rural Development

Within the frame work of the AU Joint Conference of Ministers of Agriculture, Rural Development, Fisheries and Aquaculture the African Union Commission will on Thursday 01 May 2014 at 10:30 hold a press conference.

The panelists on the press conference include:

• H.E Ato Wondirad Mandefro, State Minister of Agriculture, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia;

• H.E Mrs. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, AU Commission;

• H.E Dr. Ibrahim Assne Mayaki, CEO of NEPAD Agency

The press conference will be held in Briefing Room 1, at the new AU Conference Center, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Journalists are invited to take part on the press conference at 10:30 am as well as the opening of the Ministerial session at 9:00am on Thursday 01 May 2014.

Media Contact
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke; Media Center Coordinator; Directorate of Information and Communication; AU Commission; Tel: +251911630631; E-mail: molalett@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

Follow us

Face book: https://www.facebook.com/Africanunioncommision
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Africanunion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUcommision

Learn more at:
http://www.au.int

Press Release No. 086/2014

DREA Commissioner and SOS Sahel President discuss building resilience to reduce vulnerabilities of communities and nations

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - 30 April 2014 - H.E Mrs. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture yesterday received Dr. Philip LECOMPTE, and Mr. Rémi HEMERYCK, the President and Executive Director of SOS SAHEL International.
They principally discussed issues of building resilience to reduce vulnerabilities of communities and nations especially in the Sahara and Sahel regions. The Commissioner thanked SOS SAHEL for their contribution in the implementation of the Great Green for the Sahara and Sahel Initiative and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
They agreed to concentrate joint actions on concrete and pragmatic interventions on the ground.
They further agreed to develop an MOU to govern the areas of cooperation between the AUC- DREA and SOS SAHEL. The meeting was attended by Dr. Elvis Paul Tangem, AU Coordinator of the GGWSSI, other senior officials of the Commission and Ms. Hiwot M., Programme Development Officer, SOS Sahel in Addis Ababa.
SOS SAHEL is an NGO that promotes sustainable livelihoods and water and land management. They have currently organised an exhibition on the margins of the AU joint ministerial conference on agriculture, rural development, fisheries and aquaculture.
#

Press release No. 087/2014
Commissioner Tumusiime receives FAO Assistant Director General
Addis Ababa, 28 April 2014 – Mrs. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace. Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture has on Monday 28 April 2014 received Dr. Bukar Tijani, FAO Assistant Director General and Regional Representative for Africa.
The Commissioner welcomed Dr. Tijani in his new position where he replaced Mrs. Helena Semedo who has since been appointed Deputy Director General of FAO.
Commissioner also registered the appreciation of the Commission of the African Union for the productive partnership between FAO and AUC and especially in the areas of capacity support to AUC-DREA on the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and Sahel, Initiative (GGWSSI), the Post-Harvest Loss Reduction, the Partnership to End Hunger in Africa, the close collaboration in technical preparations for the 2014 AU Year of Agriculture and Food Security, and support provided by FAO to AU Member States in designing and quality assuring the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Investment Plans.
Dr. Tijani also conveyed greetings and best wishes from Dr. Graziano da Silva, FAO Director General as well as his appreciation of the partnership and reassurance of continued collaboration between FAO and AUC. Dr Tijani indicated that within FAO’s new reform and strategic focus, FAO would step up support to AU especially drawing on FAO’s knowledge base and information resources.
The Commissioner also appreciated the Director General’s personal interest and support to Africa in multiple sectors ranging from crops, livestock, fisheries, forestry and wildlife to agro-industry within the context of CAADP in particular and the Africa Agenda 2063 as a whole.
The two principals agreed to refine mechanisms and enhance efforts for planning together, implementing together and delivering together.
Dr Tijani was accompanied by Dr. Modibo Traore, Representative of the FAO to the African Union and the meeting was attended by senior officials from the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the AU Commission and also FAO officials from Rome, Accra and Addis FAO Offices.
Media contact:
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Directorate of Information and Communication, AUC; molalett@africa-union.org; +251-911-630-631

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

Follow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission

Learn more at:
http://www.au.int