February 21, 2025 | Djibouti, Djibouti – The African Union Commission (AUC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA),with support from the World Bank, is set to host the First High-Level Learning Event on the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) for Eastern and Southern Africa from March 4-6, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This event will bring together high-level policymakers, agricultural experts, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to assess progress, exchange knowledge, and elevate the visibility of FSRP initiatives aimed at strengthening food system resilience across the region.
Key Highlights of the Event:
- Showcasing Progress: Discussion on achievements of FSRP at national and regional levels.
- Knowledge Exchange: Sharing lessons learned and best practices in food systems resilience.
- Policy Influence: Linking FSRP-generated evidence to national, regional, and continental policies.
- Scaling Up Success: Identifying and promoting successful interventions for wider adoption.
- Trade & Digitalization: Exploring the role of digital technologies and trade integration in strengthening food security.
“Food systems resilience is at the heart of sustainable development in Africa. This event will serve as a platform to assess the progress made, strengthen institutional learning, and scale up successful interventions to improve food security across Eastern and Southern Africa. As IGAD, seize this opportunity to showcase our experiences, exchange best practices, and forge stronger collaborations—ensuring that our food systems are more resilient, adaptive, and capable of sustaining our communities for generations to come,” said Mr. Daher Elmi, Director for Agriculture and Environment Division at IGAD.
“The First High-Level Learning Event for the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) is a critical platform for strengthening regional collaboration and knowledge sharing to enhance food systems resilience in Eastern and Southern Africa. For Southern Africa, this event provides an opportunity to showcase progress, exchange best practices, and align strategies that address food insecurity, climate change, and agricultural sustainability. CCARDESA remains committed to fostering institutional learning and innovation, ensuring that investments in agricultural resilience translate into long-term food security and economic growth for our region”, emphasized Prof. Cliff Sibusiso Dlamini, CCARDESA Executive Director and Head of Mission
Media Participation and Coverage
The event will be attended by Ministers, regional economic communities, agricultural experts, policy influencers, and representatives from international organizations. Journalists and media professionals are invited to cover the event and engage with key stakeholders through interviews, panel discussions, and exclusive press briefings.
For media inquiries and accreditation, please contact:
Austin Opata
Head of Communications, IGAD
Email: austine.opata@igad.int
About FSRP
The Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) is a World Bank-supported initiative aimed at increasing preparedness against food insecurity and enhancing resilience in food systems across Eastern and Southern Africa. The program is implemented at national, regional, and continental levels, with participation from countries including Ethiopia, Madagascar, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, Malawi, and Comoros.
For more information, visit: https://igad.int/2025fsrplearningevent/
