Strengthening Africa’s Food and Agriculture Future: FAO’s Commitment to Excellence

Towards bolstering food security and sustainable agriculture across Africa, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has commenced a Capacity Development Workshop for all the 47 Country Offices spanning the Africa Region. Running from 17 to 28 February 2025 and hosted by the FAO Subregional Office for Southern Africa in Harare, Zimbabwe, this workshop brings together representatives from FAO Country Offices covered by the FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF).

Strengthening Foundations for Sustainable Agriculture

This Capacity Development Workshop for Country Offices reinforces FAO's resolve to translate strategic goals into actionable results at the country level.

The primary aim of this intensive two-week program is to enhance the skills and knowledge of FAO teams in areas such as administrative processes, project and operations management, and strategic programming. By focusing on these core competencies, the workshop seeks to ensure that FAO interventions are both effective and aligned with the organization's overarching mission to eradicate hunger and malnutrition.

In alignment with FAO Strategic Framework 2022–2031, the workshop emphasizes the "Four Betters" approach: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life. This framework serves as an organizing principle to directly contribute to Sustainable Development Goals. By focusing on these interconnected dimensions, FAO promotes a system-oriented strategic approach in all its interventions. Additionally, the workshop delves into FAO corporate initiatives, including the Hand-in-Hand Initiative (a data-driven, partnership-based approach to accelerate agricultural transformation and rural development), the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) approach (supporting countries in identifying and developing priority agricultural products with high market potential), digitalization efforts leveraging technology to improve agrifood systems, knowledge-sharing, and decision-making.

These initiatives are central to FAO’s ongoing efforts to drive agricultural transformation and resilience across Africa.

Aligning with FAO's Core Objectives

This initiative is rooted in the foundational principles of FAO. Established with the determination to promote the common welfare, the FAO objectives include raising levels of nutrition and standards of living, improving the efficiency of food and agricultural production and distribution, and bettering the conditions of rural populations. By adhering to these guiding tenets, the organization strives to contribute to an expanding global economy and ensure humanity's freedom from hunger.

Strengthening Administrative and Operational Excellence

The workshop reflects FAO commitment to enhancing skills and competencies in key areas, including Administration and Human Resources Management, Budget and Business Continuity Planning (BCP), Programming and Project Cycle Management, and financial oversight and operational efficiency. By addressing these areas, FAO aims to ensure that its country offices operate seamlessly and effectively support national agricultural development goals.

A Collaborative Effort for Regional Impact

The workshop emphasizes a collaborative approach, encouraging participants to share experiences, address challenges collectively, leverage collective expertise, and develop innovative solutions tailored to their unique contexts. As FAO adapts to an evolving development landscape, agility, efficiency, and innovation remain key priorities. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, FAO, being a knowledge organization, aims to build resilient agrifood systems capable of withstanding various challenges, from climate change to economic fluctuations.

“Our collective success depends on the strength of our teams and the efficiency of our operations. Each of you plays an essential role in turning FAO vision into reality. By investing in our own capacity, we are ensuring that FAO mission translates into tangible results for the communities we serve”, Patrice Talla – FAO Subregional Coordinator – highlighted during his opening remarks.

Looking Ahead

As the workshop progresses, it is expected that the strengthened capacities of FAO Country Offices will translate into more effective on-ground interventions and implementation of transformative programs.

By empowering teams with the necessary tools and knowledge, FAO reaffirms its dedication to supporting member countries in achieving food security and promoting sustainable agricultural development across Africa.

For more information on FAO initiatives and objectives, visit the official website www.fao.org