Egypt's agribusiness support

20 June 2019. Cairo, Egypt. IFPRI Egypt - World Bank seminar| "Innovations for Agricultural Development in Egypt"

Organised in the framework of the Egypt Strategy Support Program of IFPRI in collaboration with ICARDA.

This seminar focused on innovation in agriculture in pursuit of sustainable development. It highlighted how digital technologies can be used to:

• raise the efficiency of the agricultural sector and improve extension services and 
• help attain the strategic objectives of Egypt’s Vision 2030. 

A combination of key domestic reforms and rapid technological advances at the global level have opened a tremendous window of opportunity for Egypt’s agriculture and agribusiness sectors. Currently, these sectors contribute to 25% of Egypt’s GDP and use 86% of the country’s water resources. To keep up with its growing domestic market, and to realize its untapped export potential, Egypt will need to become a highly efficient agricultural producer and supplier.

Digital technologies have significant potential to improve efficiency, equity, and environmental sustainability throughout the food system. They can: significantly reduce the costs of linking sellers and buyers; reduce inequalities in access to information, knowledge, technologies, and markets; help farmers make more precise decisions on resource management by providing, processing, and analyzing an increasing amount of data faster; and potentially reduce scale economies in agriculture, thereby making small-scale producers more competitive.

Speakers:
Panelists showcased practical solutions from Egypt and other countries, and discussed the investments and policies required to better link farmers to markets.

• Fatma El Zahraa Aglan Agricultural Specialist, The World Bank - See Slides
• Carlo Rossotto Lead Digital Development Specialist, The World Bank - See Slides
• Seif El Dine Seif El Nasr, Financial Analyst, Central Bank of Egypt
• David Spielman Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI - See Slides
• Dorra Fiani Managing Director, Knowledge Economy Foundation Egypt - See Slides
  
  
  
• Sahar Zayan, Agricultural Research Center (ARC) Egypt - See Slides

Video recordings:

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24 June 2019. Launch of “AgriRowad”: Egypt ‘s Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Digital Platform.

Objectives:

•  Provide a forum for learning and training in order to foster users and practitioners’ capacity. 
• Generating knowledge, networking to build the SMEs capacity to engage in evidence-based approach; 
• Support different stakeholders in embedding business inclusion and value chain approach more strategically in their operations; 
• Draw on the experience, knowledge, and resources of external partners to enable the AGRIROWAD to scale up its engagement in this area. 
• To support agribusiness SMEs developing their business ideas through business model templates 
• Develop a unified electronic application for funding Agribusiness SMEs 
• Connect the agribusiness SMEs with key stakeholders in the Supply chains 
• Connect different training services, connecting the needs of the agricultural labor market with training service providers.

Speakers: 

• Importance of promoting entrepreneurs and start-ups in the agribusiness sector - H.E. Laurens Westhoff (see picture, left), Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
• Linking agriculture research to business - Dr. Mohamed Soliman (see picture right), Chairman Agricultural Research Center /ARC
• Access to finance for agribusiness entrepreneurs and start-ups - Dr. Tamer Salah Gomaa (see picture middle), Vice Chairman Agriculture Bank of Egypt/ABE
• Presentation of AgriRowad, Egypt’s Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Platform - Ms. Dorra Fiani, Managing Director KSD/ Bashaier Networks 

Access to research and technology for agribusiness entrepreneurs and start-ups

Panel discussion moderated by Ms. Fatma Sirry CEO Enactus Egypt, with:

Eng. Hanan Elhadary, Head of Industrial Council for Technology and Innovation/ MOTI
Dr. Wafaa Haggag, Head of Agricultural and Biological Research Division/ NRC
Dr. Attwa Ahmed Attwa, Director Technology Marketing Center/ ARC

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25 June 2019. Cairo, Egypt. Food Technology in Supporting Entrepreneurs of Food Manufacturing
Sectors through the Lens of Egypt Vision 2030. Organised by the National Research Center (NRC) Cairo-Dokki

Extract of the programme:

• Smaller unit for a larger economy: MSMEs and Egypt 2030 vision Prof. Dr. Zahra S. AHMED Dr.Ing Head of Food Technology Department
• National Food Safety Authority NFSA: Shaping the future of food industry - Prof. Dr. Hussein MANSOUR (see picture), Head of National Food Safety Authority (NFSA)
• Donor support to youth agribusiness: Right assumptions? Mr. Francois Stepman (see picture) Communication Specialist The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
  
  
  

• Introducing Land O'Lakes in Egypt. Farmer to Farmer program, Food safety and quality (F2F) Land O'Lakes International development - Mr. Hosam HABIB Land O'Lakes Country Director
• Value added sustainable agriculture and agribusinesses; the opportunities to be captured - Prof. Dr. Ahmed HUZAYYIN (see picture) Cleantech Arabia and Chemonics Egypt
  
  
  
  

Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety

Centre Leader, Africa Centre of Excellence for
Mycotoxin and Food Safety, Prof. Hussaini Makun
in a presentation at the opening ceremony

17 -21 June 2019. Minna, Nigeria. Inaugural Meeting of Stakeholders, Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety.

The Nigerian Food and Toxicology Research Group and the Ghent University International Thematic Network MYTOX-SOUTH, were awarded a $4.8 million grant by the World Bank to establish the “African Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety”.

Dr. Habiba Hassan - Wassef,
Member of International
Scientific Advisory Board,
ACEMFS

• MYTOX-SOUTH strengthens partnerships for equals between Ghent University and African academic institutes to improve food security and food safety through mitigation of mycotoxins, the major food safety problem in sub-Saharan Africa.
• The African Centre of Excellence (ACE) will create an interdisciplinary, experiential education model that will prepare a cadre of future leaders focused on the rapidly emerging need for innovations at the nexus of food security, food safety, agricultural productivity and economics from local to global scales. 
• The ACE will foster impactful interdisciplinary research and implement solutions that improve the quality of life of Africans through fit-for-purpose interventions fostering economic growth and access to sufficient safe food for all.
• The activities of the ACE will be accomplished with 46 industry/sectoral and academic partners, and international scientific advisory board members from across six continents. 

Extract of the programme:

3rd African Union – European Union Agriculture Ministerial Conference

21 June 2019. Rome. The 3rd African Union – European Union Agriculture Ministerial Conference: Promoting sustainable regional agricultural value chains

Building on the results of the successful previous conference in 2017, around 450 invited high-level representatives and stakeholders from Africa and Europe debated on how to further unlock the potential for a positive rural transformation and an inclusive and sustainable agriculture and agri-food sector in Africa.

• AU Commissioner for Agriculture and rural economy, Ms Josefa Sacko 
• EU Commissioner for Agriculture and rural development, Mr Phil Hogan 
• the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of Egypt Professor Dr. Ezz el-Din Abu-Steit"We are not only trading partners, we are neighbours and partners. Our cooperation in foodsafety is extremely important for the benefit of all the citizens."
• Australia Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie 
• European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Executive Director Bernhard Url

More info: programme.

The the action agenda, endorsed by all Member States includes concrete actions involving cooperation between the two continents in different areas, such as:

1. Farmers’ organisations: launch of a multiannual cooperation programme with African continental, regional and national farmer organisations. The programme will focus on farmers’ integration into value chains while strengthening capacities of farmer organisations to influence policies and business environments. It will also contribute to the strengthening of farmer organisations themselves through better governance, accountability and service delivery.
2. Food safety: The aim is to strengthen food safety governance in Africa and establishing adequate governance structures. This is being implemented mainly through discussions on the support to the implementation and operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures.
3. Research and innovation: Three new contracts were signed to boost research and innovation under the Development Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture (DeSIRA) Initiative:
4. Geographical Indications (GI): The EU to provide support, through the Pan-African programme, to the implementation of the AU Geographical Indication Continental strategy as an instrument for rural development especially for small farm holders. It will more specifically launch an Africa GI training programme and an Africa GI web platform, i.e. a database collecting all African GIs; and will provide support to concrete GI pilot projects.

AU-EU agriculture ministerial conference – programmepromising initiatives for enhanced EU-Africa cooperation, and possible solutions.

Salma Seetaroo

• The structural constraints to investment in African Agriculture, Baudouin Michel, member of the Task Force for Rural Africa 
• What works and what doesn’t? Experience with Rabobank, Ms. Suzanne Van Tilburg, Global Head Corporate Relations 
• What can Farmers Organisations contribute? Elizabeth Nsimadala, EAFF 
• What works and what doesn’t? Experience with ABC Fund, Jerry Parkes, director Injaro (Fund Manager in association with BAMBOO Capital Management for the ABC Fund) 
• The AgriFI concept of smallholder investment – Dimitri Van Raemdonk EDFI MC
• A true story: How AgriFI is helping my company - Masha Kola, Nigerian entrepreneur (Babban Gona).
  
• Cashew nuts - constraints and opportunities for the private sector in a specific market in West  Africa - Salma Seetaroo-Bonnafoux from Ivory Coast (CEO Ivoirienne Noix de Cajou)
  A former investment banker and lawyer, Ms. Seetaroo combines restructuring, M and A and debt raising skills with hands-on execution on the African continent as well as private and public company expertise. She is currently a non-executive director of Algold Resources Inc, a Canadian listed gold company, and a member of Cass Business School’s Global Advisory Board. Ms Seetaroo initially trained as a lawyer at Norton Rose and holds an executive MBA from Cass Business School. 

Session 2: Panel on agricultural research and innovation

The European Commission representative gave example of one of the new initiatives in support of the Africa-Europe cooperation: Pan Africa Network on Agri-Food Policies analysis (PANAP). The session was closed with signature ceremony between the European Commission and AWARD and the AGROPOLIS foundation (‘ One Planet Fellowships’ programme); IFAD (continental, regional research and extension organisations in support ot CAADP) and the FAO (Support to Tropical Agriculture Platform).

1. A support programme for the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) ex-pillar IV African research organisations (FARA, AFAAS, ASARECA, CCARDESA and CORAF), to be signed with IFAD, aimed at transforming agriculture and food systems and influencing policy-making (€30 million EU contribution).
2. Support for the Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP), to be signed with the FAO, to implement the TAP Action Plan (€5 million EU contribution).
3. The One Planet Summit Fellowship Programme, to be signed with Agropolis Foundation (other partners: the Bill and Melinda Gates and BNP Paribas foundations), for African and European scientists working on the challenges of adapting African agriculture to climate change (€3 million EU contribution).

• Daniel Nahon, Centre Européen de Recherche et d'Enseignement des Géosciences de l'Environnement 
• Yemi Akinbamijo, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa 
• Florence Nakayiwa, Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) 
• Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, Director, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) 
• Giovanni de Santi, European Commission, Director, Joint Research Centre

Session 3: Panel on digital solutions in agriculture

The thematic session present an overview of the state of digitalisation in agriculture in Africa, highlighted challenges and opportunities, and drew implications for the enabling policy and investment environment. The session identified the areas in which further investment in digitalisation can accelerate progress towards increasing smallholder productivity, profitability and resilience. 

• Moderator – Isolina Boto, Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation (CTA) Speakers and Panellists 
• H.E. Noel Koutera Bataka, Minister of Agriculture, Togo 
• H.E. Luis Planes Puchades, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Spain 
• Michael Hailu, Director, Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation (CTA)
• Michael Tsan, Dalberg Advisors 
• Joseph Mucheru, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of ICTs, Kenya 
• Fatma Ben Rejeb, CEO, Pan-African Farmers’ Organisation 
• Engel Friederike Hessel, (see picture) Head of Digital Innovation Division, German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Director of the Thünen Institute of Agricultural Technology 
• Bernard Yvetot, Vice-President international strategy, Orange Group Strategy division
  
• Stewart Collis, Senior Programme Officer for Digital Solutions, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 
• Bernard Joffe, (see picture) CEO, Jangolo, Cameroun

Session 4: Panel on sanitary and phytosanitary standards and food safety

Although the EU is at the forefront of promoting agricultural development in Africa, and many partner countries have chosen agriculture and food security to be among the first priorities of their development programmes, strengthening SPS is not so prominent on this priority list. Notwithstanding the multiple SPS capacity building programs and the various SPS capacity evaluation studies carried out by FAO, the World Animal Health Organisation and the International Plant Protection Convention, huge needs remain to overcome trading partners' import requirements. Institutional weaknesses and compliance costs are amongst the root causes. Moreover, recent studies indicate that the domestic spill-over effects of SPS capacity building on local safe food supplies are minimal. 

• Vytenis Andriukaitis, EU Commissioner DG Health and Food Safety ‘European Union SPS
  
  policy and food safety in the EU single market’ 
• H.E. Prof. Dr. Ezz El-Din Abu Steit, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Arab Republic of Egypt ‘Proposed Action Plan for Promoting and Strengthening SPS Standards in Africa’
• Panel Moderator, Matthew Hudson, European Commission, DG Health and Food Safety 
• Lucy Muchoki, Pan African Agribusiness and Agroindustry Consortium, PAnAAC
• Marlynne Hopper,  (see picture) Standards and Trade Development Facility, WTO-STDF 
• Godfrey Bahiigwa, African Union Commission, Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, AUC-DREA 
• Bernhard Url, European Food Safety Authority, EFSA 
• Jeremy Knops, Europe-AfricaCaribbean-Pacific Liaison Committee, COLEACP

Side event 1: TFRA recommendations, with focus on climate action

In May 2018 the Task force rural Africa (TFRA) was created to advise the European Commission on how best to contribute to sustainable development and job creation in Africa’s agri-food sector and rural economy.

On 7 March 2019, this task force presented its report with recommendations, grouped along four strategic areas for action

– a territorial approach for income and job creation

– sustainable land and natural resources management, and climate action

– sustainable transformation of African agriculture

– development of the African food industry and food markets

• 
  Introduction by Francesco Rampa, ECDPM European Centre for Development Policy Management, moderator 
• Key Note Speaker: Tom Arnold, TFRA Chair 
• Short presentation of the Results Online Consultation on the TFRA Report (by DG Agri) 
• Comments on the TFRA ‘climate action’ recommendations: Rebecca Carter, (see picture) Deputy Director of the Climate Resilience Practice, World Resources Institute; 
• Debate with AU and EU Ministers 
• EU Commissioner Hogan closed the event with his comments and way forward

Side event 2: Continental strategy for geographical indications in Africa

The side event on Continental Strategy for Geographical Indications in Africa: launching of activities will present the strategy, its action plan and will launch the implementation of the three core actions.

1. a training plan for GIs in Africa, 
2. a web platform for the dissemination of updated information on GIs in Africa, 
3. pilot GIs projects in Africa.

• Perspective from the African Union Godfrey Bahiigwa,(see picture)Director, Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union Commission 
• Perspective from the European Union John Clarke, Director of International bilateral relations, Directorate general for agriculture and rural development, European Commission 
• Presentation of Producer’s experience Maimouna Sambou, Présidente de Casa Ecologie, Casamance, Senegal 
• Perspectives from the Intellectual Property Organizations Denis Loukou Bohoussou, Director General, Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI) Pierre Runiga, Head of Policy, Legal and International Cooperation, African Regional Intellectual property Organization (ARIPO) Experience from Mozambique Higino Francisco de Marrule, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Mozambique 
• Experience from Benin Gaston Cossi DOSSOUHOUI, Ministre de l’agriculture, de l’élevage et de la pêche du Benin 

Side event 3: Africa Food Safety Agency

The AFSA will be established building on AU Commission’s previous and ongoing food safety work. The Commission’s commitment to prioritizing food safety was highlighted when it initiated and successfully convened the First AU/FAO/WHO International Food Safety Conference which took place on 12-13 February 2019 at the AU Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with the aim of prioritizing food safety globally in order to effectively deal with food safety challenges at all levels, national and continental level. The AU Commission also launched a project on the Africa Food Safety Index (AFSI).

• Dr. Godfrey Bahiigwa, Director, Rural Economy and Agriculture, AUC 
• EU Experience in Food Safety Dr. Matthew Hudson, Director, DG Health and Food Safety, European Commission Panel Discussion: 
• Prof. Dr. Ezzaldin Abustein, Minister of Agriculture, Egypt 
• Hon. Gaston Dossouhoui, Ministre de l’Agriculture, de l’Elevage et dela Pȇche, Bénin 
• Hon. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Ghana 
• Hon. Koutéra Bataka, Ministre de l’Agriculture, de la Production Animale et Halieutique, Togo

Side event 4: Financing African agricultural transformation

Side-Event organized by PAFO, AgriCord and the Ifad

• Moderator, Dr Hamady Diop, Head of the Natural Resources, Governance, Food Security and Nutrition Program, NEPAD Agency 
• Conditions and type of credit for the financing of agricultural activities by Ibrahima Coulibaly, President of ROPPA
• What incentives can be set up in order to finance the investments structuring family farms and their economic organizations? by Salifou OUEDRAOGO, Minister of Agriculture and HydroAgricultural Development of Burkina Faso 
• Which Public-Private partnerships (PO, Cooperatives) to access financing, perspective of European farmers by Marianne Streel, President of the Walloon Federation of Agriculture (FWA) and representative of AGRICORD 
• What mechanisms and masteries in the hands of stakeholders to finance useful innovations? by Jean-Philippe Audinet, Senior Technical Specialist of Producer Organizations and Rural Development at IFAD 
• Role and responsibility of PAOs and their structures in the effectiveness of Maputo's commitments in relation to the financing of rural development by Mohamed Mansouri, Director of the FAO Investment Center 

Side event 5: Opportunities and benefits for women's engagement with the agri-buisiness development

This panel shared lessons from businesses, donors, financial institutions and farmers’ organizations to learn from each other’s gender smart agri-development approaches and support to small- and mediumscale agri-businesses. 

• Amir Abdulla, Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme 
• Noel Bataka, Minister, Ministry of Agriculture Togo 
• Rahel Moges, (see picture) Managing Director, EthioGreen Production and Industry Plc
  Rahel Moges and her company Ethio-Green LLC, represents a great example of how smart investments coupled with a good diversification strategy can turn a traditionally home-made product like Injera into a booming international business. With the support of the Ethiopia Climate Innovation Center (ECIC), Rahel has invested in an innovative solar–powered drying system that allowed her company to export Injera all over the world without compromising its characteristic taste. Now, by tapping into the vibrant Ethiopian diaspora, the company is expanding its presence on several international markets, including the US. She co-founded Ethio-Green LLC back in 2008 in Washington DC with her business partner Woineshet Yirga-Keefe. We wanted to import fresh Injera - the traditional Ethiopian bread - to the Washington DC metropolitan area. Ethio-Green was one of the first companies to import fresh injera to the US.
• Carla Montesi, Director Planet and Prosperity, Directorate General International Cooperation, European Union 
• Nicole Wendyam Ouedraogo, President, Asy Cooperative, Burkina Faso 
• Thouraya Triki, Director, Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division, IFAD
• Moderator: Annie Mutamba, Co-founder of Meridia Partners and Africa Communications Week

Side event 6: Modernizing Africa’s agricultural value chains

The past decades has witnessed state-led mechanization efforts throughout the continent, which often failed due to challenges such as the lack to spare part, the lack of adapted machinery and training. Mechanization needs therefore to be linked with adequate education. It is also necessary to analyse what kind of machinery and what kind of business models (such as cooperation, syndicates, leasing models etc.) make sense. This side event discussed those challenges and also raised the issue if mechanization is labour replacing or enhancing. When looking at these challenges it becomes clear, that the agribusiness sector also has to work closely with the finance sector in order to find solutions for specific needs: the access to mechanization can be facilitated through various financing models such as combined credits for sellers and buyers, micro-credits or joint financing through a community. 

• Frank Nordmann, Co-Chair German Agribusiness Alliance, Member of the Board Afrika-
  
  Verein, General Sales Manager Africa, Southeast Asia, Oceania, GRIMME Landmaschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG 
• MinDirg. Friedrich Wacker (see picture) Head of the Directorate “International Cooperation and World Food Affairs” Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture (BMEL) 
• Dr Benjamin Kwasi Addom Team Leader ICT for Agriculture CTA 
• Dr Theo de Jager President World Farmers Organisation  Representative African Development Bank (tbc) 
• Moderator: Anna Sophia Rainer, Manager German Agribusiness Alliance, German-African Business Association

30 years of Farmer Field Schools

20 June 2019. Rome. Celebration of 30 years of Farmer Field Schools: farmers empowerment and changes towards sustainable and resilient food systems will be at heart of the discussions!

The event waswebcasted here

The kick-start event on June 20 will be the first of a series of events at global, regional and country level highlighting key achievements of FFS over the past 30 years, to increase awareness on FFS and to outline future directions and priorities. During the event, the booklet ‘Farmers taking the lead, 30 years of FFS’ will also be presented.

Background:
Initiated by FAO in Asia, in 1989, the Farmer Field School (FFS) is one of the most successful approaches developed and promoted by FAO over the past three decades, empowering farmers to become better decision makers in their own farming systems. 

• FFS is an interactive and participatory learning by doing approach that offers farmers, pastoralists, fishers, foresters a platform to learn from each other, share experiences, and to field-test new options and ideas. Participants enhance their knowledge of agro-ecosystems, resulting in production systems that are more resilient and optimize the use of available resources. 
• FFS aims to improve farmers’ livelihoods, and empower farmers to take leadership as innovators and guardians of natural environments.
• In 2019, an estimated 20 million men and women farmers, livestock producers and fishers participated in a FFS in over 90 countries. The FFS evolved to include a wide range of topics, and expanded to different agroecosystems and regions, with support of a wide range of institutions and organizations.

• Mr. Bukar Tijani Assistant Director-General, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department, FAO
• Mr. Jean Phillipe Audinet Lead Technical Specialist, Producer Organizations and Rural Development, IFAD
• Ms. Liliane Ortega Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Representation of Switzerland to the FAO, IFAD and WFP
• H.E. Dr. Nghin Chhay DG General Directorate of Agriculture, Cambodia (videolink)
• Ms. Marjon Fredrix FFS Expert, Plant Production and Protection Division, FAO - Presentation of FFS, key achievements over the past 30 years and the programme of events for FFS’ 30th anniversary
• Ms. Mariam El Akel Ministry of Agriculture, Morocco- FFS Champion trainer testimony

The World Population Prospects 2019: Highlights

17 June 2019. By the year 2050, there will be some 9.7 billion people living on Earth, says a UN population report. However, the overall growth rate will continue to fall, and more countries will have to adapt to the consequences of an ageing population.

“The World Population Prospects 2019: Highlights”, estimates that the next 30 years will see the global population add an extra 2 billion people to today’s figure of 7.7 billion, and, by the end of the century, the planet will have to sustain around 11 billion.

India will overtake China, sub-Saharan Africa population to doubleIndia is expected to show the highest population increase between now and 2050, overtaking China as the world’s most populous country, by around 2027. India, along with eight other countries, will make up over half of the estimated population growth between now and 2050.

The nine countries expected to show the biggest increase are India, Nigeria and Pakistan, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Indonesia, Egypt and the United States of America. In all, the population of sub-Saharan Africa is expected to practically double by 2050.

People in the poorest countries still live 7 years less than the global average Life expectancy at birth for the world, which increased from 64.2 years in 1990 to 72.6 years in 2019, is expected to increase further to 77.1 years in 2050. While considerable progress has been made in closing the longevity differential between countries, large gaps remain. In 2019, life expectancy at birth in the least developed countries lags 7.4 years behind the global average, due largely to persistently high levels of child and maternal mortality, as well as violence, conflict and the continuing impact of the HIV epidemic.

“The World Population Prospects 2019: Highlights”, is published by the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and provides a comprehensive overview of global demographic patterns and prospects. The report is based on population estimates from 1950 to the present for 235 countries or areas, underpinned by analyses of historical demographic trends. The 2019 revision also includes population projections to the year 2100, that reflect a range of plausible outcomes at the global, regional and country levels.

The main results are presented in a series of Excel files displaying key demographic indicators for each UN development group, World Bank income group, geographic region, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) region, subregion and country or area for selected periods or dates within 1950-2100. For advanced users who need to use these data in a database form or statistical software, it is recommended to use the CSV format for bulk download. Forthcoming special aggregates will also provide additional groupings of countries.

First online network for women entrepreneurs in agribusiness launched

12-13 June 2019. Nairobi. The AWAN-Afrika’s 1st continental conference and #VALUE4HER B2B fair was organised by the African Women Agribusiness Network (AWAN), with CTA and the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF), under the theme of “Enhancing women inclusion in agribusiness”.

During the two-day event, women agripreneurs from 21 African countries gathered for masterclasses, hackathons and pitching opportunities to showcase their businesses and try to secure regional and global business deals.

• The #VALUE4HERConnect network brings women entrepreneurs in agriculture together in a virtual community and serve as an important business resource for members.
• More than 400 women have signed up to Africa’s first online platform for female agripreneurs, launched today at a trade fair in Nairobi.
• It is part of a program led by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) to empower women in agriculture.

“Today, we have this opportunity to accelerate the manufacture and intra- African trade of value-added products, moving from commodity-based economies and exports to economic diversification and high-value exports”, Beatrice Gakuba, Executive Director of AWAN. 

“We are pleased once again to partner with CTA and AWAN: #VALUE4HERConnect will make the difference in how women grow and scale their businesses. The platform bridges the gap in information and data. We connect women to intra-African opportunities, to finance and to markets.” Irene Ochem, founder and CEO of AWIEF

GEF approves Special Climate Change Fund for LDCs

10-13 June 2019. Washington, DC, US. The 56th meeting of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Council, approved a US$865.9 million work program, the biggest in its history.

An additional US$101.57 million was approved for funding under work programs for the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF).

The projects will include efforts to bring about a transformational shift in agriculture and land use systems, help fishing people, improve the management of soils, and tackle illegal world wildlife trade.

• Six projects are from Africa.
• The Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) was established under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to assist LDCs to carry out the preparation and implementation of national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs). It is operated by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
• This meeting adopted a joint LDCF/SCCF work program comprising 12 projects, with resources amounting to USD 103.41 million for the LDCF and SCCF, including project grants and Agency fees. 
• The Work Program (June 2019, 27 pages)  is part of a fundamental contribution of the GEF to help countries implement the Paris Agreement and to fulfil its role as an operating entity of the Financial Mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

LDCF PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS / Africa (see page 14 - 17)

• Angola: The World Bank MTF child project, Strengthening Climate Resilience and Biodiversity Management in Angola’s Conservation Areas, which is part of the Global Wildlife Program, will improve the management of targeted Transfrontier Conservation Areas and strengthen the resilience of local communities and ecosystems to climate change.
• Ethiopia: The UNDP project in Ethiopia, Enhancing Adaptive Capacity of Communities by Upscaling Best practices and Adopting an Integrated Approach in Ethiopia, aims to promote the design and implementation of adaptation interventions to address the climate vulnerabilities of local communities at scale across Ethiopia. 
• The Gambia: The AfDB project, Improving Water Availability in The Gambia’s Rural and Peri-Urban Communities for Domestic and Agricultural Use, will build resilience to climate change and variability by enhancing water supply for domestic and agricultural use, and ultimately improving livelihoods in rural and peri-urban areas. 
• Togo: The FAO project, Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change of Coastal Communities in Togo, will strengthen the resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems in the Maritime region of Togo to the impacts of climate change. 
• Uganda: The AfDB Uganda project, Strengthening the Adaptive Capacity and Resilience of Communities in Uganda's Watersheds, aims to strengthen resilience of 436,000 vulnerable people to the impacts of climate change through adaptation technology transfer.
• Zambia: The FAO project, Climate Change Adaptation in Forest and Agricultural Mosaic Landscapes, will increase the resilience of productive landscapes and rural communities in Zambia through innovations and technology transfer for climate change adaptation.

Video coverage

Ibrahim Thiaw (UNCCD) interviewed during the 56th GEF Council

Agriculture @ European Development Days 2019

18-19 June 2019. The European Development Days (EDD) is Europe’s leading forum on
development and international cooperation.

#edd19 #thinktwice
Organised by the European Commission, the forum brings together each year the development community to share ideas and experiences that can inspire new partnerships and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

"In the current global context, it is more imperative than ever that developing countries take more effective lead of their general development agenda, as well as raising the level of prosperity." President Kagame

Right to food, right to cities – Brainstorming Lab

The European Think Tanks Group (ETTG) and ECDPM organised this brainstorming lab to share the growing evidence of innovative urban policies and projects that create food access for marginalised groups, from cities in Europe and the Global South.

• Urbanisation affects every aspect of food systems, from how food is produced to how it is processed, packaged, transported, marketed and consumed – and to how food waste is handled and recycled.
• Feeding rapidly growing cities in a sustainable manner is one of the key challenges for the coming decades.

Read the full paper here.

• MODERATOR Giulia Maci programme coordinator ECDPM
• Leonard Mizzi Head of Unit European Commission - DG for International Cooperation and Development 
• Stephen Otieno City Advisor, Nairobi (Food Systems) C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group 
  
• Nina Pattyn Rikolto 
• Hanne Knaepen Policy Officer European Centre for Development Policy Management 
• Katarzyna Dembska (see picture) Researcher The Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition Foundation 
• Daniele Fattibene Researcher Istituto Affari Internazionali 
• Guido Santini Chief Technical Advisor FAO
• Christophe Ramont North-South civil servant City of Ghent 
• Paulina Bizzotto Molina Policy Officer ECDPM

Water science and capacity development: Empowering people to leave no one behind

The European Commission's Joint Research Centre and UNESCO are engaged with the African Network of Centers of Excellence on Water Sciences to push research, advisory and advocacy support using local resources in medium- to long-term efforts to strengthen and coherently develop Africa's water sector.

• MODERATOR Ole Houmøller European Commission - DG Joint Research Center 
• Canisius Kanangire Executive Secretary African Ministers' Council on Water
• Ivan Davor Kulis Head of Unit EC, DG JRC.D6 
• Claudio Bacigalupi Head of Water and Sanitation sector European Commission - DG for International Cooperation and Development 
• Murray Biedler Programme Coordination UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) 
• Abdellatif Zerga (see picture) Algeria, Director of The Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences (including Climate Change) (PAUWES)
  
  "With the support of the German BMBF we reviewed our curriculum" - The German Acadmic Exchange Services (DAAD) has been supporting PAUWES since 2013 in cooperation with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the KfW Development Bank. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
  
  "Our students are following internships in the private secor"
• Joanna Fatch (see video) Project Manager AU/NEPAD Southern African Network for Water Centres of Excellence 

Local climate and energy action to fight inequalities in Sub-Saharan Africa

The UN Capital Development Fund's Local Climate Adaptive Living facility promotes climate-resilient communities and local economies by investments in adaptation at the local level in least developed countries. Cities will be showcased that have accessed these initiatives and developed concrete actions.

• MODERATOR Etienne Coyette European Commission DG DEVCO 
• Andrew Marcelin Komba Director of Sector Coordination President's Office Regional Administration and Local Government Offices (PO-RALG), Tanzania 
• Carin Jämtin  (see picture)  Director - General Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency 
• Ndeye Rokhaya Sarr Ville de Dakar 
• Antony Philip Emenyu Kasese Municipal Council 

What will it take to win the battle against hunger?

In a context of scarcer resources and limited programmatic approaches, and with a fragmented international architecture, concrete and substantial actions are needed

• MODERATOR Anya Sitaram Founding Director and Executive Producer Rockhopper TV
• Nick Austin Director, Agricultural Development - Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 
• Victoria Tauli-Corpuz UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous People United Nations 
• Paul Conal Winters Associate Vice-President, Strategy and Knowledge Department IFAD
• Ismahane Elouafi (see picture) Director General International Center for Biosaline Agriculture 
• Gilbert Houngbo President - IFAD 
• Agnes Kalibata President - AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) AGRA 

Climate change inequality: Reducing vulnerability of ACP countries

In most ACP countries, the negative consequences of inequality are linked to factors contributing to climate change vulnerability. Social and economic inequalities drive vulnerability among particular groups, some of which have restricted access to the resources required for building adaptive capacity and responding to climate change.

• MODERATOR Pendo Maro Team Leader Intra-ACP GCCA+ Programme African Caribbean and Pacific Secretariat 
• Patrick Gomes Secretary General ACP Group 
• Philip Owen Head of Unit European Commission - DG for Climate Action 
• Luca Lazzaroli Director General European Investment Bank (EIB) 
• Samson Sithole Chief Executive Officer Eswatini Agriculture and Water Devevelopment Enterprise 
• Stefano Signore Head of unit European Commission - DG for International Cooperation and Development 
• Shahr-yar Sharei Director Center for United Nations Constitutional Research 
• Kaire Mbuende Ambassador Embassy of the Republic of Namibia 

Are value chains a driver for equality?

The context in which global, regional and national value chains operate fluctuates due to factors such as price, market structure, technology, climate change, laws and policies. This challenges the capacity of actors to engage and influence the terms of trade. Value Chain Analysis for Development (VCA4D) uses a standardised method to assess the extent to which agricultural value chains are inclusive and sustainable. Three VCA4D case studies will illustrate how value chains, integrated in local or global markets, represent major opportunities to reduce inequalities. Value chains can also increase the risk of exclusion for vulnerable groups. Speakers will consider how robust analytical tools, such as VCA4D, can support improved governance, policies and greater coordination.

• MODERATOR Isolina Boto Manager of Brussels Office CTA
• Catherine Allen (see picture) Social Specialist - Value Chain Analysis for Development Agrinatura 
• Froukje Kruijssen Senior Advisor Sustainable Economic Development and Gender Royal Tropical Institute 
• Gideon Onumah Presenter Agrinatura

Using Geographical Indications

Intellectual property tools such as Geographical Indications (GIs) to address inequalities between countries by supporting the integration of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in global value chains

• How can rural development through GIs contribute to reducing inequalities within countries ?
  
• What are the critical institutional and technical factors of success and failure in developing a trade and entrepreneurial development strategy for using GIs to promote products from LDCs?
• How can GIs in LDCs be a viable initiative to address the challenges arising from the rural exodus.
• How best to design supporting policies related to direct and indirect impacts of GIs on income and inequalities?
• How can the interplay between GIs and development policies support the start-up of local initiatives based on origin-linked products?
• MODERATOR Stefano Inama Chief, Technical Cooperation and Enhanced Integrated Framework, Africa and Least Developed Countries Division UNCTAD
• Isabelle Durant Deputy Secretary-General UNCTAD
• Pierre Claver Runiga  (see picture)  Head of Policy, Legal and International Cooperation Department African Regional Intellectual Property Organization 
• Maimouna Soumaye transformatrice Niamey Fromagerie Niamey 
• Euloge Videgla Ministry of Agriculture, Benin

Rural revitalization: Addressing inequalities

Revitalizing rural areas is critical to building a world that leaves no one behind. Climate change, conflict, urbanisation and increasing rural-urban inequalities are some of the most urgent challenges faced by marginalised communities.

See also: watch the video recording + IFPRI post: What developing countries can learn from Europe’s experience with rural revitalization

This debate explored rural revitalization strategies that accelerate progress in achieving the SDGs. Experts drew on research, focus on action and implementation, and look to where the most impact can be made among the hardest to reach populations.

• MODERATOR Thin Lei Win Food Security Correspondent Thomson Reuters Foundation
• Leonard Mizzi Head of Unit European Commission - DG for International Cooperation and Development 
• Dacian Ciolos MEP - European Parliament, Former Prime Minister and European Commissioner for Agriculture European Parliament 
• Marc Nolting (see picture) Deputy Head of Division (Rural Development, Agriculture) GIZ 
• Shenggen Fan Director General - International Food Policy Research Institute International Food Policy Research Institute 

Inequalities in agriculture

How climate change and environmental inequalities prevent farmers from reaching their potential

• MODERATOR Ben Deighton Managing Editor SciDev.Net
• Josefa Sacko Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union Commission African Union Commission 
• Sarah Cardey Associate Professor, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development University of Reading
• Pacita Juan Founder ECHOStore 
• Dennis Rangi  (see picture) Director General Development CABI 

Water, peace and security in the Sahel

Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies by addressing water threats. This session discussed what is needed to bring wetlands into the equation of water and security to enhance community resilience.

• MODERATOR: Alexander Griffin Wetlands International 
• Dr Hans-Harald Jahn - Head of Division European Investment Bank
• Leonard Mizzi - Head of Unit European Commission - DG for International Cooperation and Development
• Yamide Dagnet Senior Associate World Resources Institute
• Carmen Marques Policy coordinator, Environment and Water Diplomacy European External Action Service (EEAS)
• Karounga Keita - Regional Director for Sahel Wetlands International

An inclusive and green transition

Agriculture, rural livelihoods and employment are key areas where sound environmental approaches and poverty alleviation can mutually benefit each other. Participants brought forward concrete and innovative solutions for climate and biodiversity, as well as social and environmental justice, with a special focus on rural areas.

• MODERATOR Jean-Paul Moatti Chairman and Executive Director French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) 
• Carin Jämtin Director - General Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency 
• Val Amiel Vestil Young Leader - Philippines 
• Olawale Adebiyi CEO Wecyclers 
• Jens Sedemund Head, Environment and Climate Change, Development Co-operation Directorate OECD 
• Paul Currie Chief Investment Officer Development Bank of Southern Africa 
• Christian Leffler Deputy Secretary-General for Economic and Global Issues European External Action Service 
• Bertrand Walckenaer Associate Chief Executive Officer - AFD Agence Française de Développement 

Climate change, renewable resources and food security

The subtle links between climate change, the global economy and local socio-ecological systems will

be presented. Potential solutions will be discussed to mitigate existing conflicts related to access to natural resources in Africa.

• MODERATOR Philippe Cury IRD representative Brussels Etienne Coyette European Commission DG DEVCO 
• Gernot Laganda Chief of Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction WFP
• Djiga Thiao Researcher Centre de Recherches Océanographiques de Dakar
• Thiaroye Jenny Springer (see picture) Director Global Programme Governance and Rights International Union for the Conservation of Nature 

Promoting sustainable agriculture and trade for inclusive growth Sustainable 

Impact investments in food production and trade can create decent jobs through new transformative partnerships. The potential of trade and business cooperation is key to support the development of agri-food enterprises and fully maximise trade and enhancing new markets in regional and global value chains. Inclusive and remunerative models which address the inequality factors across the value chains need to be shared and upscaled. New skills development able to match the market needs in value-addition products, blending facilities and innovative solutions to scale up are needed.

The high-level panel will address the inequality factor which needs to be addressed to promote inclusive agriculture and trade growth and the smart policies and investments needed to expand trade in a way which benefits local economies and the value chain actors in developing countries.

The findings from the report of the Task Force for Rural Africa (TFRA), the yearly Africa Agriculture Trade Monitor (AATM) by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), CTA, BMZ and GIZ will feed the debate.

Biodata of the Speakers

• MODERATOR Michael Hailu Director CTA  
  
• Isabelle Durant Deputy Secretary-General UNCTAD
• Leonard Mizzi Head of Unit European Commission - DG for International Cooperation and Development 
• Maria De La Concepcion Blanco Aguado  (see picture) Head of Sustainable Finance Solutions BBVA Microfinance Foundation 
• David Laborde Senior Research Fellow IFPRI 
• Zhi Yong Heng Principal / Head of Trade Finance and Special Situations Group TLG Capital 
• Mwala Mooto Young Leader - Zambia 
• Patrick Gomes Secretary General ACP Group

European Development Days 2019: closing ceremony