A “Prosperous Africa, based on Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development,” underpinned by healthy and well-nourished citizens. This is one of the fundamental aspirations of Agenda 2063, which identifies health and nutrition as a priority area.
The aspiration further highlights modern agriculture for increased productivity and production as a goal towards the Africa We Want. Young Parliamentarians gathered in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco for a Youth Dialogue, organised under the auspices of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Caucus on Youth, agreed that attaining this aspiration is critical to achieving food security and ending hunger in Africa.
In this regard, the participants in the youth engagement interrogated the progress made in implementing Africa’s development blueprint as the meeting exchanged views on how the youth can use Agenda 2063 to eradicate hunger and malnutrition.
The Youth wing of the continental Parliament sought to establish the tangible gains recorded in this area since the adoption of Agenda 2063 in 2015. Mr. Shumba Tichawona, Ag. Director at the African Union (AU) Office of Strategic Planning and Delivery was invited to outline achievements and lessons from the first Ten-Year action plan and what is expected from the second Ten- Year Implementation of Agenda 2063, especially in relation to the AU theme of the year 2022:” Strengthening Resilience Food Security and Nutrition on the African Continent: Strengthening Agro-Food Systems, Health, and Social Protection Systems for the Acceleration of Human, Social and Economic Capital Development.”
The conference was informed of the extensive work being done at a policy, practice and programmatic level by the AU, through the AU Commission (AUC), the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as well as the Member States and development partners. It was further noted that requisite institutional and political commitment is being mobilised to get to the scale required for the current and long-term food security needs through increased investments in solutions at all levels.
The session on Agenda 2063, moderated by Hon. Tatenda Annastacia Mavetera, 1st Vice-Chairperson of the Pan-African Parliament Caucus on Youth, saw a series of enquiries by Young Parliamentarians on concrete highlights, and achievements as well as the place occupied by the youth in the framework of the Agenda 2063.
Members of the PAP stressed that the acceleration of Agenda 2063 is paramount as the 2022 projections are expected to further deteriorate as compounding challenges, including the prolonged complex conflict cycles on the continent, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of climate change are likely to increase the threat of food insecurity.
The PAP Youth Dialogue, hosted by the Parliament of the Kingdom of Morocco, was held under the theme: “The promotion of good governance through the elimination of hunger and malnutrition: Enhancing the role of young parliamentarians and the youth in Africa’s Legislature” in line with the AU theme for 2022.
The Youth Dialogue has urged AU Member States and all partners to translate commitments into concrete results. The President of the PAP will be seized to ensure that additional mechanisms are put in place for accountability to the citizens of Africa, through members of the Continental Parliament, of all stakeholders tasked with implementing aspirations of Agenda 2063.
Various stakeholders took part in the Dialogue. These include AU organs and institutions; Youth, women’s Youth networks and organizations; Young Parliamentarians and PAP Members; International Development Partners; Media, Academic; and Research Institutions.
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