Zambia Reaffirms Commitment to Food Security at FAO Conference in Rome
The Republic of Zambia has actively participated in the 44th Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Conference held from 28th June to 4th July 2025 at FAO Headquarters in Rome.
The high-level gathering brought together member states to set policy direction, approve the organization’s budget, and deliberate on key governance matters, including the election of the Independent Chairperson and new Council Members.
Zambia was represented by Her Excellency Mrs. Patricia Chisanga Kondolo, Ambassador of Zambia to Italy and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Agencies in Rome, along with senior officials from the Zambian Mission.
Speaking during the General Debate under the theme “The State of Food and Agriculture: Fostering Innovation for Food Security,” Ambassador Kondolo highlighted Zambia’s current food security challenges, citing the adverse impacts of climate change.
She noted that El Niño and La Niña weather patterns had caused severe droughts and floods, respectively, which significantly disrupted maize production—the country’s staple crop.
Ambassador Kondolo further pointed to the compounding effects of rising input costs and global market volatility, stressing that these issues have made access to nutritious food increasingly difficult, particularly for vulnerable populations.
To address these issues, she called for greater investment in digital agriculture, renewable energy, and climate-resilient farming methods. The Ambassador emphasized the importance of empowering smallholder farmers, youth, and women, while advocating for enhanced regional cooperation and tailored capacity-building efforts to adopt technological innovations that suit local contexts.
She also paid tribute to FAO’s 80 years of dedicated service, describing the organization as a vital partner in Zambia’s mission to eliminate hunger, build resilience, and promote sustainable agriculture.
In her closing remarks, Ambassador Kondolo reaffirmed Zambia’s steadfast support for FAO and its continued commitment to working collaboratively with member states to foster inclusive, sustainable, and resilient agri-food systems.
The conference concluded with the adoption of the final report, outlining the collective path forward for global agricultural development.
