Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1 July 2015: Two newly appointed Permanent Representatives to the African Union have presented their credentials to the African Union Commission Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, on Wednesday 1 July 2015, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Dr. Patrick Kormawa presented his letter as Permanent Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to the AU and the UNECA, while H.E. Mr. Bruce Shepherd presented as Ambassador of New Zealand.

Welcoming the FAO Permanent Representative, the AU Commission Chairperson expressed interest in seeing greater focus on increased agriculture productivity in Africa. “Agriculture features prominently on our Agenda 2063, and would like to see prominent role of the FAO,” the Chairperson remarked.

Both the AU Commission Chairperson and the new FAO Representative agreed on the need to mechanize agriculture as a means of eradicating poverty. The FAO Representative also pledged to be actively involved and fully supporting the campaign avail women farmers with latest technology, thereby sending the handheld hoes to the museum, as requested by women during consultations to conceive Agenda 2063.

Building on the potentials of agriculture to eradicate poverty and move toward prosperity within the first 10-year plan of the Agenda 2063, the Chairperson also invited the newly appointed Permanent Representative of New Zealand Ambassador Bruce Shepherd to share, and provide technical assistance based on its experience as an agricultural economy. She reiterated the need for AU partners to support areas of Africa’s priorities, given that there is now specific agenda for Africa’s transformation.

Ambassador Bruce Shepherd also committed New Zealand to strengthen ties with Africa by providing more scholarships, providing technical assistance and value addition to enable countries in Africa benefit from foreign exchange opportunities.

The New Zealand Ambassador said his country will continue to support the production of the AU Handbook, which is already in its third edition.

The AU Commission Chairperson wished the newly appointed representatives well during their tenure of office.