Ahead of the upcoming African Union Extraordinary Summit on the Post-Malabo Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Agenda, the African Union (AU) Commission concluded    an assessment mission from November 12-14, 2024 in the Republic of Uganda, that will host the summit  in July 2024, as affirmed by  the President of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The African Union delegation was led by Ms. Dalitso Bonongwe, Secretary of the Commission and Dr. Godfrey Bahiigwa, Director, Agriculture and Rural Development accompanied by representatives of various AU Departments and Divisions, who also took part in the assessment  mission. The assessment mission also comprised of  staff from the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), Departments of Conference Management and Publication Services (DCMP), Office of Secretary to the Commission (OSC), Protocol Services, Security Services, Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), Medical Servies and Facilities Management Directorate.

The AU delegates held a working session with representatives from the Uganda Government’s National Organising Committee (NOC), to exchange views and plan for a hitch free and successful summit. The NOC was established to spearhead the preparation of the Summit from Uganda. The objective of the mission was to engage the Government of the Republic of Uganda to evaluate the preparedness for the summit and discuss the provisions of the Host Agreement.

The AU delegates interacted with the representatives from the Uganda Government’s National Organising Committee (NOC) and the corresponding Technical sub-committees. The Ugandan delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Maj. Gen. David Kasura-Kyomukama, and Amb. Aisa Ismail, Deputy Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, serving as his deputy. During the mission, the delegation had a thorough inspection key facility, including the proposed summit venue, as well as various hotel accommodation, modalities of procurement and medical facilities. The AU Commission Team also reviewed airport handling and immigration processes to ensure a seamless experience for all summit participants. Additionally, discussions with Security and Publicity subcommittees were conducted to harmonize strategies for the event

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maj. Gen. Kasura-Kyomukama reassured the AU delegation of Uganda’s readiness to host this important summit:. “As previously committed by the President of the Republic of Uganda, the country is ready to host this summit from 9-11 January 2025. As we embrace the draft Kampala declaration in 2025 and review the impact of the Malabo Declaration of 2014 on economic growth, we also invite you to visit Uganda and experience the beauty of the Pearl of Africa.” The NOC demonstrated their readiness to spearhead the preparation of the Summit from Uganda.

During the final debriefing, Maj. Gen. David Kasura-Kyomukama,  further reiterated Uganda’s commitment to hosting a successful summit, stating, “ As previously committed by the President of the Republic of Uganda, there is no turning back, we must host a successful summit come January 2025.”

The Head of AU Delegation, Ms. Bonongwe, welcomed collaborative spirit of the engagement and commended Uganda's early preparations, noting the significant efforts made to ensure readiness for the summit. “We are impressed by the host country’s early preparations to host this summit, and the level of preparedness shows that  efforts have been made to ensure that we are where we are and towards a successful event,” said Ms. Bonongwe.

The Extraordinary Summit, to be held from 9-11 January 2025, will focus on adopting the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Acton Plan for 2026-2035, this will set in motion a 10-year agenda for building strong and resilient Africa’s Agri-Food Systems on the continent for agricultural growth, transformation and improved livelihood across the continent. The proposed summit program will include meetings of Ministers in Charge of Agriculture Rural Development, water and Environment (ARDWE) and a Joint meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Agriculture, followed by the Summit of African Heads of State and Government.

The outcomes of this meetings and subsequent summit will culminate in the Kampala Declaration, which aims to provide a ten-year continental blueprint and Action Plan for sustainable and inclusive food systems, ensuring food security while creating jobs and business opportunities for millions of Africans.

In doing so, the AU Commission would be implementing Assembly/AU/Dec.900(XXXVII) decision – which recommended  an extraordinary summit for the post-Malabo CAADP agenda in 2025, to be held be held by  the Commission, AUDA-NEPAD, regional economic communities (RECs), in collaboration with the development partners, to develop the 10-year post Malabo CAADP implementation plan.

Hashtag: #CAADPKampala25

Editor’s Notes:

The Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), is an Agenda 2063 continental initiative that aims to help African countries eliminate hunger and reduce poverty by raising economic growth through agriculture-led development.

Through CAADP Malabo Declaration, African governments agreed to allocate at least 10% of national budgets to agriculture and rural development, and to achieve agricultural growth rates of at least 6% per annum. Underlying these investment commitments are targets for reducing poverty and malnutrition, increasing productivity and farm incomes, and improving the sustainability of agricultural production and use of natural resources.

CAADP also supports countries to enhance resilience to climate variability through development of disaster preparedness policies and strategies, early warning response systems and social safety nets.

Read more about CAADP @ https://au.int/en/caadp

Read more about the 2014 Malabo Declaration @ https://archives.au.int/handle/123456789/5527

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Godfrey Bahiigwa | Director of Agriculture and Rural Development Directorate, African Union Commission | Email: BahiigwaG@africa-union.org

For media inquiries please contact:

1. Ms. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Media and Information Division, Communication Adviser, Permanent Observer Mission to the UN | Information and Communications Directorate | Email: yamboue@africa-uinon.org , Tel: +251911361185 / +1 3478127195 (WhatsApp)
2. Ms. Peace Lydia Mutuwa | Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, African Union Commission | Email mutuwap@africa-union.org
3. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), African Union Commission | Email: GamalK@africa-union.org

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