Islamic Republic of Mauritania to host FAO Regional Conference on strengthening Africa’s agrifood systems

24 January 2026, Nouakchott – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will hold the 34th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC34) in Nouakchott in April 2026, hosted by the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

The meeting will bring together ministers and senior government officials from across Africa, particularly those with portfolios related to agrifood systems transformation such as finance, trade and industry, agriculture, fisheries, livestock, environment, and science and technology. Representatives of the private sector, civil society, youth organizations, development partners, and observers, will also attend.

Over five days from 13–17 April, ARC34 will serve as a strategic forum to exchange experiences, forge partnerships, and identify innovative and practical solutions to accelerate agrifood systems transformation in Africa.

“Mauritania is strongly committed to hosting the next session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa. We are honoured to welcome African countries to Nouakchott for this important event and to contribute to advancing dialogue and cooperation on food security and sustainable agrifood systems across our continent,” said His Excellency Sid’Ahmed Bouh, Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty of Mauritania, during a visit to Nouakchott by a delegation from FAO’s Regional Office for Africa.  

FAO Conference Secretary and Deputy Regional Representative for Africa Ayman Omer welcomed Mauritania as host country: “FAO warmly thanks the Government of Mauritania for confirming its readiness to host ARC34. We look forward to working in close collaboration to ensure strong preparations and a successful Conference that delivers concrete outcomes for Africa’s agrifood systems.”

The FAO Regional Conference for Africa is FAO’s highest governing body in the region and is convened every two years.

Why ARC34 matters for Africa

The upcoming conference comes at a critical moment for food security in Africa. According to the report on the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025, hunger has continued to rise across the continent, with more than 20 percent of Africa’s population, an estimated 307 million people, experiencing hunger, up from previous years. If current trends persist, by 2030 nearly 60 percent of the world’s chronically undernourished population could be in Africa, underscoring the urgent need for action to reverse this trajectory.

To respond to these challenges, countries and partners across Africa are advancing a range of solutions to transform agrifood systems and build resilience. Key approaches include promoting climate-smart and sustainable agricultural practices that boost productivity while adapting to climate change and conserving natural resources; expanding the use of digital technologies to support farmers with real-time information and market access; strengthening inclusive value chains and rural infrastructure to improve access to inputs, services and markets; and enhancing nutrition-sensitive policies that make healthy diets more affordable and accessible for all. Such solutions are at the heart of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31, which emphasizes the transition to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems through innovation, partnerships and targeted investments.