CAADP PP, ADFNS to promote intra-Africa agri-food trade and improved nutrition

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – The 14th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) Commemoration and the 19th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP) running from the 30th of October to the 2nd of November 2023 in Lusaka, Zambia will ensure cross-fertilization and provide a platform for sharing experiences and lessons and discussing opportunities and strategies to promote intra-Africa agri-food trade and improved nutrition in Africa.

The African Union Commission (AUC) through the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (DARBE), in partnership with the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), with support of technical institutions and other stakeholders are organizing the commemoration of the 14th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS), the 19th edition of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Partnership Platform (PP), the associated Malabo Policy Learning Event (MAPLE), as well as the CAADP High-Level Ministerial Forum (HLMF) in Lusaka, Zambia, from 30th October to the 2nd November 2023.

Speaking to this publication ahead of the launch of the meeting, Mrs. Estherine Fotabong, the AUDA-NEPAD’s Director of Programme Innovation and Planning said the theme of this year’s ADFNS and CAADP PP is “Accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement in the context of CAADP Commitments for Safer and Healthier Diets.”

“These events – ADFNS, CAADP PP, HLMF, and MAPLE will build on the African Union’s 2023 Year Theme – “Accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)”. The series of events will be synchronized to ensure cross-fertilization and provide a platform for sharing experiences and lessons and discussing opportunities and strategies to promote intra-Africa agri-food trade and improved nutrition in Africa. As an icebreaker to kick off the week, the MAPLE event will allow stakeholders to learn and exchange cases of success, lessons, and best practices (regarding strategies, tools, and approaches) in agri-food and nutrition programming and policymaking,” she said.

The combined CAADP PP and ADFNS High-Level Ministerial Forum is also expected to provide a platform for policy dialogue and conversations essential for accelerating intra-regional food trade, food security and stimulating economic growth across the continent, and to align and integrate departmental efforts to achieve food and nutrition security outcomes.

Aligning with the 2023 AU Theme of “Accelerating implementation of the AfCFTA”, these events will emphasize and illustrate how the increased movement of goods and services, as well as deliberate policy measures, are and could further fast-track the exchange of agri-food resources across African borders, bolstering food security while enriching the continent’s nutrition profile.

This year’s PP, combined with the commemoration of the ADFNS, will provide a forum for evidence-backed reflection on the 20 years of CAADP and is expected to contribute to discussions on enhancing trade and nutrition, including reflecting on persistent gaps, opportunities, and lessons under CAADP 20 years on.

The 2023 PP and ADFNS will also provide a forum for defining a common narrative and direction that the AUC and AUDA-NEPAD should focus on, such as assessing and documenting key lessons and opportunities for joint action to accelerate the implementation of CAADP and inform the Post Malabo Agenda.