Zambia to Host 14th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security and 19th CAADP Partnership Platform
The Republic of Zambia is set to host the 14th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) and the 19th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Partnership Platform from October 30th to November 2nd, 2023. The event will take place at the prestigious Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
Dr. Oliver M. Kalabo, Acting Secretary to the Cabinet, made the official announcement in an address from the Office of the Vice President in Lusaka.
The overarching theme for this year’s event is “Accelerating the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement in the Context of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Commitments for Safer and Healthier Diets.”
The occasion is co-hosted by the African Union Commission, the African Union Development Agency, and the government of the Republic of Zambia.
The Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security, established in Uganda in 2010, serves as an important platform for raising awareness about the various forms of malnutrition and addressing hunger, particularly in children, adolescents, and expectant mothers.
It aims to facilitate discussions on policies that can mitigate hunger and malnutrition, as well as garner political, technical, and financial commitments to tackle food and nutrition security issues in Africa. This year, the event will be commemorated on October 31, 2023.
The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), initiated in 2003, serves as a policy framework for promoting agriculture-led development in Africa, with the goal of achieving economic growth and poverty reduction.
CAADP focuses on enhancing agricultural investments, eliminating hunger and poverty, promoting intra-African trade in agricultural goods and services, and building resilience against climate variability.
This year marks the first time that these two significant events will be hosted back-to-back, demonstrating Zambia’s capacity to host regional, continental, and international gatherings. Participants will include representatives from the African Union Commission, government officials, policymakers, technical experts, parliamentarians, regional economic communities, farmer organizations, the private sector, and development partners.
Additionally, the media, civil society organizations, and academia are expected to play an active role in the event.
The ADFNS and CAADP Partnership Platform aim to accelerate efforts toward achieving safer and healthier diets across Africa, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The event will provide a platform for identifying strategies and interventions that harness science, innovation, and research in agri-food systems to enhance food and nutrition security on the continent.
The hosting of these events demonstrates Zambia’s commitment to advancing food security and sustainable agriculture and its role as a regional leader in addressing these critical issues.
