Access
Login/Register
Supplier Login
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (APO) – The African Union Commission (AUC), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and Instituto Lula of Brazil announced today they were joining efforts to help eradicate hunger and undernourishment in Africa.
The decision was reached at a meeting between AUC chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, FAO director-general José Graziano da Silva, and former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, honorary president of the Institute bearing his name.
This effort brings together the leadership of the AUC, the technical expertise and renewed commitment to fight hunger of the FAO as well as the political backing of former Brazilian President Lula da Silva. Knowledge and support from other international, regional and national partners will also go a long way to enhancing this new partnership.
During the meeting at the AUC headquarters in Addis Ababa, the three parties agreed to convene a high-level meeting with African and International Leaders on “New, unified approaches to end hunger in Africa”. The meeting will be held in Addis Ababa on 4 and 5 March 2013.
“Food security is one of the key priorities of the African Union. Africa has the potential to increase its agricultural production given that almost 60% of the arable land in the continent is still not utilised. This enormous potential can make a real difference to improve our agricultural production and food security. It is time to move beyond subsistence agricultural production and consider ways of eventually embarking on agro-industrial production,” said Dr Dlamini-Zuma.
Mr Lula Da Silva stressed his willingness to share with FAO and the African Union Brazil’s successful experiences in fighting hunger and promoting income distribution through cash transfers and more inclusive development. He also spoke of the “miracle” that was needed to boost agricultural production.
“The miracle is permitting that poor people have access to credit and technology. We want poor people to learn that with credit and technology they will produce more, eat better, have surpluses to sell and will have additional income to improve the lives of their families,” said Mr Lula Da Silva.
“Building a food and nutrition-secure Africa requires better governance, renewed political will and strong commitment to work together through innovative and comprehensive food security and nutrition programmes and strategies involving all concerned stakeholders,” said Graziano Da Silva. “This is an African-led effort with the support of partners such as FAO and Instituto Lula,” he added.