Francophonie Parliamentarian Assembly holds its Cooperation and Development Commission in FAO Headquarters


©FAO/Alessia Pierdomenico / FAO

10/05/2018 - 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) hosted the Commission for Cooperation and Development of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonies (APF) at its headquarters on 3 and 4 May 2018, attended by nearly fifty parliamentarians from around fifteen countries.

During the opening ceremony, Ms. Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director General of FAO, emphasized "the essential role of policy makers, including members of parliaments, in establishing enabling institutional, legal and policy frameworks" towards achieving the Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, recalling that FAO "supports partnerships as well as south-south and triangular cooperation as key drivers to encourage geographical, sectoral, professional and disciplinary convergences".

FAO experts presented the state of food and agriculture, agricultural services and digital inclusion, and parliamentary alliances for food security and nutrition, with rich interactions with the attendees. Bilateral meetings were also organized with Mr Jacques Krabal, French Parliamentarian and Secretary General of the APF, and Ms Angélique Ngoma, Gabonese Parliamentarian and President of the Commission, to explore future collaborations to contribute to the elimination of hunger, malnutrition and rural poverty.

The APF provides a platform for cooperation and dialogue among parliamentarians from 83 "sections" (members, associates or observers) representing national or regional parliamentary assemblies from all regions of the world.