JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, March 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Yesterday, the 10th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Partnership Platform officially opened in Durban at the International Convention Centre. On the 10th anniversary of CAADP inception, this meeting is a pivotal moment, asking members to objectively reflect on previous goals and actions and call upon African Heads of State and government to enhance their ownership and commitment to CAADP.
The meeting brought together Africa and global leaders from a number of international organisations, African Governments including ministers, private agribusiness firms, financial institutions, farmers, NGOs and civil society organizations to discuss and develop concrete investment plans for scaling agricultural development success in Africa.
As a proven engine for growth, the conference emphasised that, agriculture is essential to Africa’s long-term and sustainable economic growth, and a solution to most of the continent’s most pressing challenges, such as youth employment and climate change.
The meeting was officially opened by Mr. James Nxumalo, Mayor of Durban, who acknowledged CAADP’s success over the last decade saying, ‘’this meeting will foster a spirit of mutual learning and growth for Africa.”
Addressing the meeting on behalf of the AUC Chairperson, H.E Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, AUC Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, H.E Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, said tremendous progress had been achieved in the last decade of CAADP implementation.
“The deeper we commit to the CAADP process, the greater the level of coordination, harmonisation and alignment to the strategy and priorities of Africa’s agricultural transformation, “she said.
Commissioner Tumusiime said the agenda of agricultural transformation was strategically positioned to provide enormous opportunities for inclusive and sustainable development in Africa. (The complete speech is available on www.au.int).
Giving a keynote presentation during the opening, Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, CEO of NEPAD said, “CAADP has now become a recognised and irreversible ‘’brand” throughout Africa and the rest of the world.” “It has been a catalyst for African leadership in driving agriculture at all levels, as well as for the process of Africans regaining control of the dialogue with technical and financial partners.” (The full speech is available on www.au.int).
Other speakers at the opening event included Mr. Stephen Muchiri, representative of the Pan African Farmers Organisation, Ms. Abby Mgugu Mhene representing civil society organizations and Mr. Roberto Ridolfi representing the development partners, who all reiterated their support of CAADP.
The four day meeting will encompass numerous discussions, pledges, and ultimately, goals, actions and targets with clarity on execution strategies, for the next decade of CAADP in line with the thrust of the AU Agenda 2063, a huge part of which is agricultural transformation.
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