2014, Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa

African Heads of State and Government, ministers and development partners, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), are meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from January 27-31 for a Summit on Agriculture and Food Security.

“Transforming Africa’s Agriculture: Harnessing Opportunities for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development” is the theme that will be at the center of discussions during the 22nd Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), scheduled to take place at the headquarters of the African Union Commission.

The AU summit provided a major opportunity to discuss policies that are being implemented at the national, continental and international level to promote agriculture and address the food security crisis.

The Annual Summit will highlight the launch of 2014 as the Year of Agriculture and Food Security. This year is also marking the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture and Development Programme (CAADP).
The ILO has been promoting Youth, Decent Employment and the (CAADP), food security through decent work as well as sound and sustainable investments in agriculture.

High level discussions will be focused on the Africa 2063 Agenda, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), Africa's Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and Africa’s common position on the post-2015 development agenda.

African leaders will also consider the organization of an Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Governments of the African Union to evaluate the implementation of the 2004 Ouagadougou Declaration and Plan of Action on Employment promotion and Poverty alleviation supported by the ILO.