FAO Regional Office for Africa

A Roadshow Like No Other

FAO Eastern Africa Office Holds First Media and Partner Event

Addis Media and Partner event - Photo: (©FAO/Chi Lael)

22 December 2015, Addis Ababa - Just one week after the historic COP21 Agreement, a first of its kind Media and Partnership event took place in FAO premises, in Addis Ababa, which explored FAO achievements in 2015 towards eradicating hunger and new initiatives for the coming year. 

The year-end gathering was an opportunity for international media - including the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal and Al Jazeera - as well as partners and experts in the field to come together to discuss the state of food and agriculture in Eastern Africa, and strengthen relations for greater impact in 2016.

The event, hosted by the FAO Sub-regional Coordinator for Eastern Africa and Representative at AU/UNECA, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, featured a series of talks, questions and answers from the media, and FAO roadshow showcasing FAO successes in 2015 in the eight Eastern African countries – Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, South Sudan, Rwanda.

Committed to Zero Hunger in Africa

Launched in January 2014, the commitment to end hunger in Africa by 2025 in partnership with the African Union, is grounded in the UN Zero Hunger Challenge. Over the last year, FAO Eastern Africa has been working with eight governments, more than six international partners and the private sector to transform the livelihoods of the most vulnerable, including children suffering from malnutrition and families affected by recurrent climate crises such as extreme drought and floods.

Patrick Kormawa said: “This year FAO identified that the main reason why people face the daily anguish of hunger is that they cannot afford the food they need. And we know what needs to be done to shift towards more sustainable food systems and to end hunger and malnutrition. In 2016, FAO will be the partner in the search for solutions to eradicate hunger in Eastern Africa. Using our technical expertise, we will turn knowledge into action, connecting innovative initiatives to the field, countries and the sub-region.”

Godfrey Mutizwa, CNBC Africa, said: “The event was a fantastic opportunity for sharing and learning about the various country programmes within the organization. People need to know what FAO is doing in countries such as Somalia and Kenya – there are incredible stories to be told.”

New initiatives in 2016

The event highlighted the urgency of translating poverty elimination, as enshrined at the heart of FAO into real life experiences for people in Eastern Africa. It drew attention to the potential of FAO as a tool for driving economic and social progress for children and young people including the most vulnerable.

The talks and roadshow explored practical solutions for ending hunger in Africa, kick-starting the next phase of innovative programmes by FAO Eastern Africa in 2016.

The media and partner event was the first for FAO Eastern Africa, and highlighted the number of achievements since the organization began in 1945. All eight member countries participated in the event to celebrate the 70th anniversary of FAO and renew its commitment to developing a hunger free and prosperous Eastern Africa.

 

Related links:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/faooftheun/23589556304/in/dateposted-public/

http://www.fao.org/about/what-we-do/regional-initiatives/en/

www.fao.org

 

This news release was issued by the FAO Sub-regional Office for Eastern Africa.

 

For more information contact:

Chi Lael, Communication Specialist, Sub-region Office for Eastern Africa

Tel: +251 (0)966 84 6181

Email: [email protected]