About the event:

As Africa charts the next 10-year phase of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) with a broader agri-food systems approach, this event at COP29 offers a unique platform to catalyze climate-resilient strategies across the continent’s food systems. Building on the COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, this side event will emphasize how integrating climate action with sustainable food systems can address pressing challenges such as food insecurity, climate vulnerability, and economic growth.

Key Objectives:

• Launch of a Continental Support Programme: Led by AUDA-NEPAD and supported by the Italian Development Cooperation, this program will provide African countries and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) with technical support to integrate climate and food systems policies into actionable investment pipelines, with a focus on regional dimensions and trade corridors.

• Raising Awareness: Highlight the critical link between climate change and food security, emphasizing the need for integrated solutions.

• Mobilizing Support: Encourage international donors, financial institutions, and governments to support climate-resilient food systems across Africa.

• Fostering Collaboration: Facilitate dialogue among policymakers, leaders, institutional heads, and financial partners to strengthen cooperation and accelerate the implementation of climate-resilient food systems in Africa.

This event will bring together senior representatives from governments, financial institutions, development agencies, regional organizations and farmers’ groups to explore innovative solutions and strengthen partnerships in tackling these critical issues.

Programme

Moderator:

Ms Cecilia D’Alessandro, Deputy Head, Sustainable Food Systems, ECDPM

Opening remarks:

• H.E. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD)
• H.E. Amb. Stefano Gatti, Director General Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Italy

Official project launch:

This ceremony will mark Italy’s formal commitment to supporting AUDA-NEPAD in an initiative designed to foster more integrated and impactful development across Africa. Through this partnership, Italy and AUDA-NEPAD, with support from ECDPM, will promote both horizontal and vertical synergies across sectors—namely food security, climate resilience, infrastructure, and trade—while linking actions at the continental, regional, and national levels. By aligning priorities and resources across multiple domains and layers, this initiative aims to strengthen Africa’s capacity to address interconnected challenges, driving sustainable development and resilience for African communities.

Speakers:

• H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn, Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia and AGRA Board Chairperson
• H.E. Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister for Energy and Sustainability Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, United Arab Emirates
• Dr Brian Isabirye, Commissioner, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Uganda 
• Mr. Peter Odhengo, Ministry of Finance, Kenya and Coordinator, African Green Climate Finances National, Designated Authorities Network (AfDAN)
• Dr Babafemi Oyewole, Chief Executive Officer, Pan African Farmers Organization (PAFO)
• Ms. Oluranti Doherty, Managing Director, Export Development, AfreximBank

Questions to be addressed during the panel discussion:

• How can international collaboration address the policy and investment gaps in the climate-food systems nexus in Africa?
• How is the CAADP post-Malabo agenda, addressing the food-climate-trade-investment-infrastructure nexus towards ensuring socio-economic and environmental stability in Africa?
• What policy measures can be deployed to reduce exposure of African farmers to short-term risks, while also strengthening their longer-term resilience in the face of shocks and stresses?
• How can financial institutions and development agencies better support integrated climate and food systems investment pipelines?

Closing Remarks:

Mrs. Estherine Fotabong, Director, Agriculture, Food Security and Environmental Sustainability, AUDA-NEPAD