EAC holds High-Level Forum on the 2nd Biennial Report on the implementation of the CAADP Malabo Declaration

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 25th  September, 2020: On September 22nd, the EAC Secretariat, together with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the Africa Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System (ReSAKSS) successfully convened its Second High-level Forum which disseminated to stakeholders the 2nd Biennial Review report on the implementation of the June 2014 AU Heads of State and Government Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for shared prosperity and Improved Livelihoods. 

Under the leadership of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency (NPCA), the Inaugural Biennial Review report was launched in January 2018 during the AU General Assembly, and the EAC was the first Regional Economic Community to convene a high-level forum to discuss outcomes of the Inaugural Biennial Review report. This tremendous achievement is in line with efforts aimed at increasing awareness and advocacy momentum behind the CAADP Agenda for increased political, policy and financial commitment.   

It was observed that, in the first Biennial Review of 2017, EAC was on track in meeting Malabo targets on re-commitment to CAADP process; Boosting intra-African trade in agriculture commodities; Halving poverty through agriculture by 2025; and Mutual accountability for actions and results. Whereas in 2019, the region was on track in meeting commitments on boosting intra-African trade in agricultural commodities and enhancing resilience to climate variability only. 

In July 2003, Maputo, Mozambique, the Heads of States and Governments of the African Continent endorsed the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) known as the ‘‘Maputo Declaration’’.  

The Heads of States wanted an effective and efficient vehicle to stimulate production and bring about food security among the populations of the continent. Maputo Declaration has two commitments; allocating at least 10% of national budgetary resources to agriculture; and to achieve 6% growth of the agriculture economy. 

In her opening remarks, Honorable Dr. Gerardine Mukeshimana, Rwanda Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources and Chairperson of the EAC Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security underscored the need to sustain and improve country performance by adopting adequate enabling and facilitative policies. 

Hon. Minister highlighted some of the negative impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the Agricultural Sector in the EAC associated with climate related risks that have compounded the situation, hence the need to strengthen strategic   food reserves to ensure food and nutrition security. She called upon EAC Partner States to re-affirm political will and commitment in order to fully embrace and deliver on Malabo Declaration goals.  

In his key note presentation to the audience, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in-charge of Productive Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo outlined the resolutions made during the 1st High-Level Forum in June 2018.  He elaborated on achievements made by the EAC Secretariat as well as Partner States in terms of domesticating the Malabo agenda.

He pointed out gaps that have hindered or continue to undermine progress towards achieving the Malabo goals by 2025. 

The forum made the following resolutions:  

    1. The Forum requested EAC as well as its Partner States to have a well-organized, institutionalized and operationalized Regional/ National Joint Sector Review to hold discussions on RAIP/NAIP as well as discuss the BR results and approve EAC Regional Biennial Review  plans; 
    2. The forum called on EAC Partner States to harmonize Biennial Review report indicators with national statistics system such that decision-makers are drawing upon a coherent and integrated national statistics and BR data system through: 
      • Integration of the Biennial Review indicators into National statistics measures and data collection system; 
      • Support the strengthening of M&E systems in Ministries of Agriculture linked to National bureaus of statistics.  
    3. Sustainability of technical and financial collaboration with EAC is key for fast-tracking the harmonization and operationalization of the EAC data system to CAADP Results Framework. At national Level, tripartite relationship among Government, Development Partners and Research Institutions/ IFPRI, ReSAKSS etc. aiming at eradicating data issues in the EAC should be in place before the next BR Reporting period; 
    4. The Forum urged Partner States to review and ensure that National Agricultural Strategy is compliant with the CAADP principles in order to enhance marketability of the plans and attract investment from different Stakeholders especially the Private sector; 
    5. EAC Secretariat is requested to convene the first Business and Investors Roundtable for financing of the RAIP; and regional stakeholders are encouraged to support this important milestone. An agreement of mutual engagement / CAADP Compact document should be produced and evaluate its implementation regularly. At National level, Partner States are urged to develop and implement Malabo-compliant high-quality NAIPs to open wide gates to investors; 
    6. Drawing a lesson on the unpredictability effects of the COVID-19 on Regional economy and agriculture in particular, the forum encouraged to Partner States to strengthen National food reserves and develop a Resiliency and Recovery Plan which can also address issues of malnutrition and fight against desert locusts and other pest and also in case of disasters and calamities;  
    7. The Forum requested key Partners specifically AGRA to support EAC Secretariat in retaining the current EAC CAADP coordination office in order to continue spearheading the CAADP agenda and ensure efficient management of available financial capacity required to support halted regional activities especially on harmonization and implementation of regional agricultural policies, laws and procedures; 
    8. Development Partners with AGRA taking the lead have assured the EAC Secretariat and Partner States strong commitment to support National BR data dissemination to all national stakeholders and improvement of data to ensure appropriate preparedness and reporting towards the next BR reporting period;  
    9. EAC Secretariat should strengthen the Intra-regional trade to become an effective channel to enhance regional Food availability and sustainable Food systems; and 
    10. The forum has commended East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) for its resolute determination to supporting the entire CAADP process through advocacy and oversight and for its renewed commitment to continue the same to ensure that all the six EAC Partner States are on the right track come the next Biennial Review report. EALA took the opportunity to request all Partner States to embrace the recommendation of improving data and further improve their BR overall benchmark.

Notes to Editors 

The Biennial Report is an innovative mechanism for capturing progress, achievements as well as challenges that need to be addressed to drive agricultural transformation towards realization of Malabo Declaration goals and targets. The second High Level Biennial Report dissemination forum came as a follow up of the first one which was conducted in 2017 and disseminated the Biennial Review Inaugural Report. 

The “Malabo Declaration” on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods which was born out of the proceedings of the aforesaid summit, endorsed additional commitments in areas such as infrastructure, natural resources, land tenure, trade and nutrition leading to a total of seven (7) commitments for the Malabo Declaration 

Among other commitments, African Heads of State committed to Mutual Accountability through monitoring Actions and achieved Results by conducting a Biennial Agricultural Review process that involves tracking, monitoring and reporting on implementation progress of the Malabo Declaration 

- ENDS -

For more information, please contact:

Simon Peter Owaka
Senior Public Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 768 552087
Email: sowaka [at] eachq.org

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of six Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001: 2015 Certified

 


East African Community
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