What: The Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Pan-African-Parliament in Collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations Representation to the African Union and UNECA, will organize a symposium on the nexus between human rights, food security, and resilience in Africa.

The symposium aims to foster dialogue among the AU Permanent Representative Committee (PRC) members and critical actors on promoting and protecting human rights as a catalyst for realizing the right to food and food security in Africa. It will also raise awareness of African Parliamentarians' role in realizing food security in Africa.

When: 21 – 22 February 2023, 09:00 am (EAT)

Where: Plenary Hall, Julius Nyerere Building, African Union Headquarters

Who: The opening session will be addressed by;

• H.E. Amb. Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security
• H.E. Amb. Taonga Mushayavanhu, Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe to the AU, Chairperson, PRC Sub-Committee on Human Rights, Democracy and Governance.
• Mr David Phiri, FAO Representative to the Africa Union & UNECA

It will bring together members of the African Union Permanent Representatives Committee, Representatives of the Pan-African Parliament Sub-Committee on Food Security, Representatives of relevant African Union and Regional Economic Communities Organs, Representatives of relevant UN bodies, experts, academicians, and civil society.

Why: The AU Symposium on Human Rights, Food Security, and Resilience in Africa will contribute to the implementation of the AU Theme of the Year 2022 by promoting a human rights-based approach to realizing food security and resilience building in Africa. In line with the AU mandate to make peace happen, the realization of food security will significantly contribute to preventing conflicts in Africa. Specifically, the symposium will include the following objectives:

1. Increase awareness of the relationship between nutrition, food security, and human rights and the roles of the human rights-based approach to food security in Africa.
2. Increase awareness of the justifiability of the right to food and follow up on the implementation of existing legal, policy, and judicial frameworks and commitments.
3. Increase awareness of the role of parliamentarians in the promotion and protection of the rights to food in Africa

This forum is expected to contribute to more commitments to implementing socio-economic rights as a catalyst for realizing food security and building resilience in Africa. It will further contribute to knowledge generation by publishing the symposium report, including recommendations.

 Background Information:

While proclaiming the theme of 2022 as "the Year of Nutrition: Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent", the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government recognized that "Humanity today has the capacities, technology, and the know-how to ensure a decent standard of living and human security for all inhabitants of the earth. Yet, children continue to die of preventable diseases; women continue to die whilst giving birth; hunger and malnutrition remain part of the human experience; and under-development, fragility, marginalization, and inequality between regions and countries and within countries persist." The AU 2022 theme draws inspiration from Agenda 2063 as a shared strategic framework and blueprint for respect for human rights, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.

For further information, please contact:

Mr Paschal Chem-Langhee, Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission
Tel: +251 115 517 700 | E-mail: Chem-LangheeP@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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