December 07, 2018, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - The commemoration of the 9th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) was held December 5th, at which experts and policy makers called for sustaining and scaling up action towards promoting and implementing integrated food safety, nutrition and health strategies for achieving greater results and impact.

The 2018 celebration of the ADFNS was jointly organized by the African Union Commission, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, Tanzania Food and Drug Authority (TFDA), in collaboration with four United Nations Agencies; United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO, UNICEF and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA.)

The ADFNS serves as a rallying point for intensifying political and financial commitments at all levels in order to address current challenges facing food and nutrition security in Africa. In particular, this year’s continental event was aimed at motivating firm action toward an integrated approach for controlling the spread of food contaminants on the continent, which often result in thwarting efforts for improved nutrition and health of Africans, as well as frustrating food producers targeting food export markets.

The event was graced by senior officials from the African Union Commission, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and Development Partners, represented by the WFP Country Director and Representative to Tanzania.

Speaking on behalf of AUC’s Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, H.E. Amb. Josefa Sacko, Head of Agriculture and Food Security Division of the Department of Rural Economy and Agricultur, Dr. Simplice Nouala, called for concerting and harnessing efforts in order to collectively achieve maximum benefits from the food African farmers produce and export, by integrating food safety measures in all food value chains.

Speakers representing the Government of Tanzania and the United Nations echoed this call.

The annual commemoration of the Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security was declared at the July 2010 Summit of African Union Heads of State and Government that took place in Kampala, Uganda. The decision was made in recognition of the unacceptable and chronic crisis of hunger and malnutrition in Africa. It was successfully launched in Lilongwe, Malawi, on 31st October 2010 and it has been annually commemorated since then.

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For more information contact:
Dr. Laila Lokosang,
Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture
LokosangL@africa-union.org

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