SADC Delegation Addresses Nutrition Goals at African Union Summit

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) delegation participated in a high-level nutrition event on the sidelines of the African Union Summit, organized by the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD). 

The event, themed “Achieving Nutrition Goals in Africa Post-Malabo: Public and Public Sector Sustainable Nutrition Financing,” aimed to address malnutrition and advance nutrition goals across the continent.

Representing the SADC at the event, Dr. Mubita Luwabelwa, Director of Policy, Planning & Resource Mobilization, delivered a statement on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Mr. Elias Magosi. 

Dr. Luwabelwa commended the organizers for their strategic choice of theme, emphasizing its relevance and timeliness in engaging all stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, and civil society.

Highlighting SADC’s priorities, Dr. Luwabelwa underscored the region’s commitment to the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) through Regional Agricultural Policies (RAPs) and National Agricultural Investments Plans. 

However, he acknowledged that despite progress, much remains to be done, particularly in meeting the Malabo Commitments set forth by the African Union.

The 4th CAADP Biennial Review report revealed that both SADC and the continent as a whole have fallen short on several fronts, including commitments to ending hunger and reducing poverty by 2025, enhancing investment in agriculture, and boosting intra-African trade in agricultural commodities and services.

Recognizing the critical impact of malnutrition on child development and the broader economy, Dr. Luwabelwa stressed the importance of mobilizing adequate resources and tracking nutrition expenditure to inform policy decisions. 

In response to these challenges, SADC has developed a Regional Food and Nutrition Security Strategy aimed at addressing the current realities in the region.