AU calls for eradicating hunger in Africa by 2025

The African Union (AU) on Saturday called on all stakeholders to have the will and determination for ending hunger on the African continent. The remarks were made at the opening of a multi-stakeholder meeting on Saturday at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which came ahead of meetings of African ministers and heads of states on ending hunger in Africa, scheduled for Sunday and Monday. Speaking at the opening of the session, Abebe Haile-Gabriel, AU Director for Rural Economy and Agriculture, reiterated that about 240 million people in Africa, one out of four Africans, are undernourished. The director underlined the need to harness partnerships including public and private sector, civil society, farmers' organizations, and the academia. Abebe noted that the goal of eradicating hunger on the continent is achievable if there is the will and determination to act. Deliberations will go on for three consecutive days from Saturday to Monday. Jointly convened by AU, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Brazil's Lula Institute, the meeting is expected to reach a set of principles, policies, and strategies to resolve the problem of hunger by 2025. The high-level meeting for Africa is held under the theme of "Towards African Renaissance: Renewed Partnership for Unified Approach to End Hunger in Africa by 2025 within the CAADP Framework." During the sessions, non-African countries including Brazil, China, and Vietnam are expected to share their successful experiences in agriculture and food security. The stakeholder group session has gathered together civil society, private sector, cooperatives, and academia for the dialogue, and is expected to appoint a spokesperson who will be able to fully participate in discussions with the African ministers on Sunday. Jose Graziano Da Silva, FAO Director-General, noted that interconnected factors that negatively affect food security must be addressed to end hunger in Africa. The Director-General also highlighted the need to work together to achieve the desired goal of hunger eradication on the continent. Ceso Marcondes, Brazil's Lula Institute Executive Coordinator for the Africa Initiative, stated that the meeting is a good opportunity to share experiences and learn from each other.