AKADEMIYA2063, in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), is convening a virtual 2020 ReSAKSS Annual Conference to promote review and dialogue on the role of public policies in ensuring sustainable and resilient agrifood systems and their transformation in Africa. The conference will take place virtually on 3–5 November 2020 under the theme of “Sustaining Africa’s Agrifood System Transformation: The Role of Public Policies.”
About the Conference
Learn more about the conference
About
The African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Malabo Declaration have called for the rapid transformation of Africa’s agrifood system. This ambitious agrifood system transformation agenda involves reconciling trade-offs across poverty reduction, food security, nutrition, and environmental goals. At the same time, it has prompted governments to undertake a variety of policy interventions aimed at accelerating agrifood system transformation. Yet, in the face of advancing globalization, rapidly modernizing economies, income growth, dietary changes, and a changing climate, the choice of such policy interventions is not always a simple or once-off decision. National polices need to keep adapting to the changing global landscape and the rising complexity of local economies. The COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on Africa’s agrifood systems have shown the complex policy choices and trade-offs faced by African policymakers.
The 2020 ReSAKSS Annual Conference will bring together state and nonstate actors to deliberate on the key findings and policy recommendations of the ReSAKSS 2020 Annual Trends and Outlook Report (ATOR). The report 1) reviews how policy regimes have evolved in recent decades, 2) examines the extent to which current policies for agrifood system transformation are aligned to the macroeconomic context and global trade environment, 3) identifies policy gaps and alignments needed to sustain and accelerate agrifood system transformation, and 4) discusses the institutional and political economy factors that are instrumental in shaping new policy choices.
Objectives
More specifically, the conference will allow participants to:
- Discuss the research evidence and recommendations presented in the 2020 ATOR on the role of policies in sustaining Africa’s agrifood system transformation;
- Review lessons and necessary actions in transforming Africa’s agrifood systems to be more sustainable and resilient
- Examine required actions for effectively rebuilding Africa’s agrifood systems following the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Assess progress in promoting mutual accountability through the CAADP Biennial Review process; and
- Evaluate the status of CAADP implementation and progress toward achieving key goals and targets.
Expected outcomes
Expected outcomes of the conference are:
- Shared understanding of:
- Required policies and actions for sustaining and accelerating Africa’s agrifood system transformation and ensuring sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.
- Required commitments and actions for successfully rebuilding Africa’s agrifood systems following the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Progress and required next steps in advancing the 2021 CAADP BR process.
- Actions needed to fast-track the implementation of CAADP and ensure the achievement of its goals and objectives.
- Shared lessons and experiences on:
- Africa’s achievements in agricultural policy in recent decades, policy gaps that the continent’s policymakers still need to address, and institutional and political factors that condition the choice of policies for transforming agrifood systems.
- Promoting mutual accountability and ensuring that the BR process triggers required actions and policy change to advance the achievement of Malabo Declaration goals and targets.
STRUCTURE
Day 1, Tuesday November 3: The conference will be officially opened in the morning of Day 1 and will feature an overview presentation of the 2020 ATOR, presentations of key chapters, and panel and plenary discussions on the conference theme.
Day 2, Wednesday November 4: The morning of Day 2 will focus on presentations and plenary discussions of the different chapters of the 2020 ATOR. The afternoon will consist of parallel breakout sessions on lessons and actions for transforming agrifood systems to be resilient and sustainable and on required actions for rebuilding agrifood systems after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Day 3, Thursday November 5: The morning of Day 3 will continue with presentations and plenary discussions of the 2020 ATOR including a review of progress in achieving CAADP goals and targets and advancing the 2021 CAADP BR process.