MEDIA ADVISORY
Launch of the 2022 Theme of the Year on Nutrition in Botswana
INVITATION TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA
What: Press Conference on the Official Launch of the 2022 AU Theme of the Year by the Government of the Republic of Botswana
Speakers will include:
1. H.E. Minata Samate Cessouma the Commissioner for Health Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the African Union Commission
2. Honourable Dr. Edwin Gorataone Dikoloti, The Minister of Health, Republic of Botswana and MP for Mmathethe-Molapowabojang
When: 9 September 2022, from 09:00 – 10:30am CAT (GMT +2)
Where: Protea by Marriott Masa Square, Gaborone, Botswana and virtually. Register in advance on the link below https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUqdOGrqj0rH9bklMHEQD2zg-ZQgm_TUD8Y
Who: The Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development on behalf of the African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the African Union Development Agency, The New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD), The Government of the Republic of Botswana and other stakeholders will launch the African Union Theme of the Year 2022.
Why: The objective of the launch is to share Botswana’s commitments and progress to food security and nutrition in line with the priorities of the African Union theme of the year 2022. The aim is to continue increasing commitments from decision and policymakers and in ensuring that the nutrition and food and security targets are achieved by 2025.

Background Information
The AU Assembly in February 2022 endorsed and launched 2022 as the African Union Year of Nutrition under the theme, “Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on The African Continent: Strengthening Agro-Food Systems, Health and Social Protection Systems for the Acceleration of Human, Social and Economic Capital Development.”

This year's focus on strengthening African agro-food, health and social protection systems, calls on adopting a multi-sectoral response that can offer significant wins beyond improving nutrition outcomes, catalysing social, economic and human capital development across the continent. The declaration is a crucial opportunity to provide solutions to the current nutrition crisis on the continent.

For further media inquiries, please contact:
i. Ms. Dorothy Njagi | Strategic Communication Expert, Directorate of Health and Humanitarian Affairs | Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission | Mobile: +251940559950 | E-mail: njagid@africa-union.org
ii. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org