Zim hosts FAO conference

Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe will later this month host the 31st Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Africa Regional Conference (ARC) in Victoria Falls, a Cabinet Minister said on Thursday.

Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Air Chief Marshal (Rtd) Perrence Shiri told journalists that the conference affords Zimbabwe the opportunity to learn from other African countries issues related to agriculture.

“The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement will from 23- 27 March 2020 host the 31st Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Africa Regional Conference (ARC) in Victoria Falls.

“The conference, which will run under the theme, ‘Agricultural and Rural Transformation in Africa: Promoting Inclusive Agribusiness and Regional International for attainment of Sustainable Development Goals’ will draw 450 foreign delegates from 54 African member states, 10 member countries outside the region, intergovernmental organisations, Heads of diplomatic missions in Zimbabwe among others,” he said.

Shiri said Zimbabwe appreciated the opportunity to host the conference.
“Hosting the 31st Africa Regional Conference will afford local ministers, departments and organisations the opportunity to participate in the technical discussions, presentations and formulation of regional positions.

“This will allow them to better articulate and drive matters relating to agricultural and rural transformations in Africa, focusing on agribusiness and regional integration, in line with His Excellency the President’s vision of modernising the economy through agriculture,” he said.

FAO Assistant deputy director general Jessline Brownhole said the conference would also focus on issues affecting food security in Africa.

“The regional conference will bring together ministers from up to 55 countries, now we have almost 50 ministers confirmed. So these are the policy makers who are coming over not just southern Africa, but northern Africa as well.

“They come together to discuss opportunities, share ideas, best practices, especially in light of the recently ratified Africa Continental Free Trade Area, inter- African regional trade is quite low than it should be. There are lots of opportunities there.

“We are absolutely going to talk about it (climate change); we have a whole section of issues that are affecting food security and agriculture production including climate change, including conflicts and sadly there has been economic downturn,” she said.
New Ziana