2nd-Intl-Summit

Our current global food systems face numerous issues, including food insecurity, environmental degradation, conflicts such as Russia-Ukraine war, violent conflicts in Sudan, Nigeria, Congo, political upheavals in Francophone African countries threatening peace and livelihoods, pandemics (e.g. HIV, Ebola Virus and Covid-19) and animal diseases, unequal distribution of resources and natural disasters related to climate change such as flooding, erosion, desertification to mention but a few. Unfortunately African countries are more vulnerable like other developing countries to these crises as they lack the capacity to cope. Transforming these systems in developing countries like Nigeria, Africa and other developing economies is key to building a globally resilient agric-food system and ensuring equitable access to nutritious food while minimizing negative environmental impacts. This transformation requires a shift towards agro-ecological and regenerative farming practices, reduced food waste, sustainable sourcing, and supporting local food economies. Addressing these challenges requires holistic and integrated approaches that consider their interdependencies which are well recognized in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially SDG 1 (eliminate poverty in all its forms), SDG 2 (Zero hunger), SDG 8 (Decent jobs for youths and sustainable economic growth), SDG 13 (take climate action), SDG 14 (The Blue Economy) and SDG 17 (Partnership for development). The Summit particularly aims to address the continental level focus of the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063, “The Africa We Want“.

To this end Technological Innovations, effective policies and regulations, awareness among consumers about the importance of sustainable food choices and healthy lifestyles, deepening investments in agric-food systems, collaboration among governments, NGOs, academia, businesses, and local communities are vital. Working together can pool resources, knowledge, and expertise to implement effective strategies and share best practices.

ADIafrica acknowledged these challenges as urgent and of the highest priority, and intends to address them in its Framework for Action through a series of normative policy recommendations to countries seeking to increase the nutritional and environmental viability of their food systems. Sub-Saharan African countries as well as other developing countries are very vulnerable to environmental challenges and food insecurity as well as poverty.

This workshop therefore is geared towards the contribution to improve food security and sustainable food system in Africa. At this summit we hope to achieve a balance between food production, food security, healthy living and sustainable utilization of natural resources, agricultural financing, in providing healthy nutrition for the existing population while preserving the benefits for future generations.

The summit thus aims at increasing awareness of today’s food, environmental and related health challenges especially nutrition challenges, providing a forum to diverse stakeholders to discuss strategies for food-system reform in Nigeria, Africa and other developing countries facing similar challenges. Seven parallel sessions, comprising expert presentations and country case studies will be organized. The summit will also include a session for students, exhibitions/Business to Business events, gender activists campaigns, exhibitions of innovative products and models (of technologies, business and finance), awards for best presentation by Ghent University, several special events and networking sessions. A special session, that will close the summit, will provide the stock of issues addressed in previous sessions. and will call for new ways of working together and expressing SMART policy commitments by countries and other key stakeholders to realize the opportunity presented by the Decade of Action on Nutrition of United Nations and the SDGs, especially SDG 1 SDG 2, SDG 8, SDG 13, SDG 14 and SDG 17.