Africa Regional Dialogue on Food Systems

4 March 2021. The Africa Regional Dialogue on Food Systems was organized in partnership with Africa’s key players in the agricultural sector, including AUC, AUDA-NEPAD, AfDB, FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, as well as Africa-based research institutions, including akademiya2063 and RUFORUM. It took place within the context of the Seventh Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (7th ARFSD). 

The Africa Regional Dialogue provided a platform for exploring pathways for accelerating food systems transformation, with focus on game changing solutions that are regionally-oriented, well-aligned with the principles and objectives of 2030 Agenda, and African context. The regional Dialogue should identified solutions that support achieving the 5 action tracks identified as objectives of the Summit.

The Regional Dialogue consisted of two sessions, a technical and a high level policy roundtable. 

1. The Technical session discussed the current status of African food systems, highlighting complexity, challenges, opportunities and the way forward, with due consideration to current crises, including in COVID-19 and recurrent extreme weather events. 
2. The high level political roundtable explored possible pathways, accompanied by commitments, for equitable and sustainable food systems transformation building on existing regional policy frameworks and initiatives. 

The Key messages of the Regional Dialogue was presented before the Food Systems Summit (FSS) representing Africa common position in support of promoting equitable and sustainable food systems transformation.

A position paper, providing the collective view of partners towards African solutions for accelerating food systems transformation, was presented to ignite an organized discussion on how to, sustainably, inclusively, advance food systems in Africa.

Resources:

• ECA (2021) Regional Dialogue: African Food Systems Seventh Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, background paper ECA, AUC, FAO, AUDA-NEPAD, WEP, UNICEF, IFAD, AfDB, Akademiya2063, RUFORUM, 24 pp.
• Regional Dialogue: African Food Systems (agenda item 9), UN Economic and Social Council, 2 pp.
• ACB Reaction to the Regional Dialogue on African Food Systems, African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), 3 pp.  

Related:
24 February 2021. How can AfCFTA implementation change African agricultural and food trade?

ECA-IFPRI webinar on AfCFTA and Agriculture

Based on extensive analysis of recent intra-African trade trends reported in the annual African Agricultural Trade Monitor (AATM) 2020 and insight from trade experts, this webinar will explore how different agricultural sectors and regions can capitalize on the AfCFTA provisions to strengthen Africa’s food system, and improve livelihoods and food security. Presenters will give an up-close view of the AfCFTA negotiation process and the outstanding negotiation issues, discuss how AfCFTA aligns with existing development goals in Africa’s CAADP, Malabo and AU Agenda 2063. They will discuss how to make implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement most beneficial to the agriculture and food sector actors.

• Francis Mangeni, Head of Trade Promotion and Programs, AfCFTA Secretariat
• Antoine Bouët, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
• Trudi Hartzenberg, Executive Director, Trade Law Centre (TRALAC)
• Anthony Nyame-Baafi, Former Chief Negotiator of Ghana
• Lucy Muchoki, CEO, Pan-Africa Agribusiness
• Moderated by David Luke, Coordinator of the African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC)