Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries of the Republic of Uganda and Chair of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on ARDWE,
Members of the Bureau of the STC on ARDWE,
H.E. Girma Amente, Minister of Agriculture of Ethiopia,
Esteemed Ministers of Agriculture of AU Member States,
The Secretary of AU Commission,
Honorable Delegates and other Esteemed Guests,
Our Development Partners,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
All Protocols Duly Observed.

It is an honor and privilege to welcome you all to this important Summit. I would like to begin by extending my heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of Uganda for their warm hospitality and for hosting us in this vibrant and beautiful Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort. I am eternally grateful to His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda for agreeing to host this summit when we met with him last year. His generosity and commitment to advancing Africa's agrifood systems are deeply appreciated.

I am grateful to the H. E. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia who is the CAADP Champion and H.E. Girma Amente, Minister of Agriculture of Ethiopia for steering the CAADP process.

I also want to recognize the exceptional leadership of my boss, His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, whose vision and dedication continue to guide our collective efforts. Furthermore, I would like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the AU Specialized Technical Committee, particularly its Chair, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, whose guidance has been instrumental in shaping the objectives of this Summit as well as my staff led by Director Dr Godfrey Bahiigwa and the coordinator of the post-Malabo process Dr Hamady Diop who worked painstakingly with all our major stakeholders including Akademiya2023 and Policy Link to ensure that the two documents before us- the new 10-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035) and the Kampala Declaration are inclusive and fit for purpose.

Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen

Allow me to provide you with some brief context on how we reached this point.

In February 2024, the African Union Commission presented the 4th CAADP biennial review report to African Heads of State and Government during the 37th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly. They noted with concern that no single country was on track to meet the Malabo CAADP goals and targets by 2025. As such, they directed the African Union Commission and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), working with partners, to develop a post-Malabo CAADP agenda that would respond to the challenges and opportunities facing Africa’s agrifood systems.

In response to the directive of the Heads of State and Government, the Africa Union has led the development of a new 10-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan: 2026-2035 whose vision is to build resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for a healthy and prosperous Africa, in line with the aspirations of Agenda 2063.

The design and preparation of the Kampala CAADP process have resulted from remarkable collaboration among a broad spectrum of stakeholders. Regional Economic Communities (RECs), technical working groups, experts and researchers from African centers of excellence, farmers' organizations, development partners, parliamentarians, private sector groups, youth groups, and women in agriculture have all played essential roles in shaping this process. Their collective contributions have ensured that the approach is inclusive, representative, and grounded in the realities of those most affected by agrifood systems. The active involvement of these diverse groups has enriched the dialogue and helped tailor the CAADP framework to the specific needs and aspirations of all Africans, from rural farmers to urban consumers. This inclusive dialogue has strengthened our collective resolve and ensured that the outcomes of this Summit will truly reflect the aspirations and priorities of the continent.

In addition to these valuable contributions, technical and development partners have provided indispensable expertise and financial resources. Their support has been critical in ensuring that our process is not only comprehensive but also feasible and impactful. By pooling our resources and knowledge, we have developed a robust and actionable framework to guide Africa’s agrifood systems transformation in the years ahead.

Under the leadership of Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and the Chair of the STC om Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment, the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan and the draft Kampala CAADP Declaration were endorsed on October 25, 2024, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The two documents were then circulated by the Office of the Secretary to the Commission to all AU Member States in all the six AU working languages.

Overall, the 10-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan aims to boost food production, expand value addition, boost intra-Africa trade, create millions of jobs for our youth and women, build inclusive agrifood value chains, and build resilient and sustainable agrifood systems that will withstand shocks and stressors now and in the future. Furthermore, we are dedicated to strengthening governance through evidence-based decision-making and enhancing accountability among all stakeholders. Inclusivity is a fundamental aspect of our approach; we will ensure that women, youth, and marginalized groups have access to resources, thereby facilitating their equitable participation in the agrifood sector.

The outcomes of the Summit will be the adoption of:
i) the draft CAADP Strategy and Action Plan: 2026-2035, and
ii) the draft Kampala CAADP Declaration.

The summit will make landmark decisions that will shape Africa’s agrifood systems transformation for the next decade.

In conclusion, this Summit and the Kampala Declaration that will emanate from it represents a critical turning point in our collective efforts to transform Africa's agrifood systems. It is a testament to our shared commitment to food sovereignty and a prosperous, food-secure Africa. As we move forward, I am filled with optimism that, through our collaborative efforts, we will realize the ambitious goals we have set for the next decade.

I invite all participants to actively engage in the discussions, share their insights, and contribute to the success of this Summit. Together, we can ensure that the outcomes will have a lasting and positive impact.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all Member States of the African Union and Regional Economic Communities for their continued support and collaboration throughout this process. It has truly been an incredible journey, and I am deeply appreciative of the trust placed in me to lead DARBE for two terms. Your unwavering commitment to advancing Africa’s agrifood systems is inspiring, and it is through our collective efforts that we will achieve the transformative change we seek.

I wish you all a Happy New Year filled with health, happiness, and success.
I thank you for your attention.
Obrigado. Merci. Gracias. Shukran. Asante sana.