Commemoration of 13th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS)

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October 31, 2022 to November 01, 2022

MEDIA ADVISORY

Commemoration of 13th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS)

INVITATION TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

WHAT: Commemoration of the 13th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS)

WHEN: 31 October-01 November 2022, starting from 9:00 AM EAT

WHERE: Hybrid event: AU Commission, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Virtual through the below link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUkdOivqz8qG9VVkaziYshzSeqZ0HKGH9iW

WHY: In its 15th Ordinary Session convened on 25th-27th July 2010, the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government, which was convened in Kampala, Uganda, issued its decision Assembly/AU/Dec.327(XV) calling for the Africa Union and the then New Partnership for Africa’s Development (now African Union Development Agency – AUDA-NEPAD) and Member States to commemorate the African Day for Food and Nutrition Security annually every 30th October.

The Day was then launched in Lilongwe, Malawi, on 31st October 2010, by President Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, the then Africa Champion for Food Security. This was a culmination of a number of consultations concerned with persistent high levels of malnutrition and famines, which resulted in a call to integrate nutrition into the food security policies, plans and interventions.

The ADFNS provides a common platform for addressing current challenges hindering the implementation of interventions for improving food and nutrition security on the continent, as well as sharing experiences, knowledge and taking stock of progress made in assuring availability, accessibility and sustainability of quality and healthy foods.

The event is also aimed at exploring available opportunities and finding ways for seizing them. An example of these opportunities are the recent high level policy decisions on the design of strategies for improving the effects of food security, agro-food systems and social development. This is expected to lead to an improvement in the health and nutrition status of the population. Furthermore, the event serves be a melting point of new ideas from a range of stakeholders and participants through dialogue with an aim of recommended solutions for overcoming existing and potential bottlenecks.

WHO: The event is organised by the African Union Commission (AUC), Directorate of Agriculture Rural Development.

SPEAKERS: The meeting will be held for two consecutive days with various high-level

Speakers and panellist

H.E. Mohamed El-Quseir, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of Egypt and Chair of Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment
H.E Amb. Josefa Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment
H.E. Professor Mohammed Belhocine, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (tbc)
H.E. Amb Minata Samaté Cessouma, AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (tbc)
Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of AUDA-NEPAD
Dr. Abebe Haile-Gabriel, Assistant Director-General, Regional Representative for Africa, FAO/RAF. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Mr. Stanlake Samkange, WFP Director of Strategic Partnerships and Chair of CAADP Development Partners Coordination Group (Representing Development Partners)
Ms. Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director
Dr. Godfrey Bahiigwa, Director for Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, AU Commission
Other Dignitaries

Participants: The Commemoration of the ADFNS will attract 300 – 400 participants who will be drawn from the African Union Commission, AUDA-NEPAD, Member states, Regional Economic Communities(RECs), various partner organization, such as FAO, WFP, UNSECO, IICBA AECN, ILRI, HarvestPlus, UNICEF, among others, Regional CSO Umbrella Organizations; Academic / Research Institutions; other UN Agencies; European Commission and Knowledge Institution;

For further information please contact:

Dr. Simplice Nouala Fonkou, Head of Agriculture and Food Security Division, Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, African Union Commission – Email: NoualaS@africa-union.org
Dr. Laila Lokosang, Consultant, AU Commission – Email: lblokosang@gmail.com

For Media inquiries:

Ms. Peace Lydia Mutuwa, Communication and Knowledge Management, Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union Commission Email mutuwap@africa-unin.org
Mr Molalet Tsedeke, Communication Officer, Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission Email: molalett@africa-union.org;