The Network of Central African Parliamentary Alliances on Food Security and Nutrition gathers in Libreville to discuss progress, challenges and prospects

Presidents and parliamentarians from eleven Central African countries came together in a meeting that was held over two days (27 and 28 February 2023), and back-to-back with the third international conference of the Network of Parliamentarians for the Sustainable Management of Central African Forest Ecosystems.

Taking stock of the progress made in pursuing the network's objectives and renewing its political commitment, discussions included an assessment of the food and nutrition situation in Central Africa, the role of parliaments in promoting food security and nutrition, the importance of decision makers across the region exchanging views and experiences on food security, and the path ahead in view of the upcoming second Global Parliamentary Summit against Hunger and Malnutrition.

200 delegates attended, including Presidents of the Parliaments of all eleven Member States of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS); Heads of ECCAS Specialized Institutions; the Secretaries General of the Parliamentary Alliances of the ECCAS Member States; representatives of the Offices of the Parliamentary Alliances for Food and Nutrition Security; FAO representatives in ECCAS Member States; representatives of the United Nations System and research organizations; environmental experts; civil society organizations; and representatives of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement.

FAO’s collaboration with Parliamentarians of ECCAS countries

The eradication of hunger and malnutrition requires global policy measures that address the interconnected economic, social, and environmental dimensions of agrifood systems. As recognized in the United Nations 2030 Agenda, engaging parliaments in the design, implementation, follow up and review of such measures is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the ability of parliaments to adopt laws and budgets, monitor governments’ action and enforce accountability is paramount for the effective implementation of global commitments.

In collaboration with its partners, FAO has established parliamentary networks for food security and nutrition as well as dedicated fora for dialogue and exchange between parliamentarians, with a first Global Summit of Parliamentarians against Hunger and Malnutrition held in Madrid in 2018. The second Global Summit will be held in Santiago in mid-2023.

About the Network of Central African Parliamentary Alliances on Food Security and Nutrition

Parliamentarians from ECCAS countries met in Brazzaville, Congo in 2019 and, together with ECCAS and partners including FAO, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Program (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), established the Network of Central African Parliamentary Alliances on Food Security and Nutrition (RAPAC-SAN). Since 2019, RAPAC-SAN has contributed to the establishment of seven national parliamentary alliances in Central Africa.