Photo: © FAO

28 May 2019, Addis Ababa – With 257 million people hungry and every third person malnourished in Africa, sustainable agriculture (crops, livestock, fisheries & forestry) and natural resource management are critical in tackling the root causes of poverty and hunger, which is an overarching challenge for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). To accelerate progress towards the SDGs, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized ‘Mainstreaming Sustainable Food and Agriculture (SFA) in the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Context of the Malabo Declaration.’

Gathering over 80 participants from relevant ministries, African Union Commission Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (AUC DREA), the New Partnership for Africa's Development of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA NEPAD), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), private sector, and civil society, this workshop aims to develop the capacities of ten African nations on integrating sustainable food and agriculture into national agricultural investment plans, in relation to the Malabo Declaration. Furthermore, this event will allow countries to share information on their experiences, progress and challenges associated with integration of sustainable food and agriculture into national investment and development plans.

As an important goal of the workshop, participants will identify options to move forward at the national level to mainstream food and agriculture and ensure the realization of SDGs in the context of the Malabo Declaration implementation.

This can only be achieved through a transformative change that must be done in a more integrated way, across sectors, and across varying stakeholder interests. Monitoring, partnerships and financing are key aspects of the implementation process.

Sustainable Food and Agriculture and SDGs

The way food is grown, produced, transported, marketed, stored, traded and consumed fundamentally connects people and the planet.  Sustainable food and agriculture contribute to tackling the root causes of poverty and are a catalyst towards inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and provide a practical solution for inclusive prosperity, leaving no one behind.

Therefore, food, agriculture, and people are at the center of the 2030 Agenda. Sustainable food and agriculture is a key factor in reducing poverty, providing nourishment to ensure healthy and productive lives, and preserving resources for future generations. Moreover, SFA can also deliver inclusive growth and drive positive change across the 2030 Agenda.

“FAO, with its expertise and resources, is well-positioned to support countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, along with many partners. The interconnectedness of the SDGs means that all actors supporting countries in implementing and monitoring the goals must collaborate and share knowledge,” said Ade Freeman, the Regional Programme Leader of FAO Regional Office for Africa.

Freeman added “FAO envisions that member countries will have improved awareness on the critical role of sustainable food and agriculture in achieving SDGs in the framework of the Malabo Declaration. As the Malabo Declaration and the SDGs share common goals, mainstreaming SFA will contribute to Africa achieving national, regional and global targets.”

This event is built on the outcomes of the FAO workshop “Towards Productive, Sustainable and Inclusive Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Support to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Agriculture,” held in Kigali, Rwanda in September 2016. Additionally it will complement the upcoming “Regional Capacity Building Workshop on Monitoring of SDG indicators in Eastern Africa” to be held in Addis Ababa.