ASARECA Agriculture Ministerial Conference (AAMC)

Date: May 17 –  19, 2023
Venue:  Speke Resort, Munyonyo, Uganda.
Theme:  Building Resilient Food Systems to Feed Africa for Generations.
Method: This is primarily a physical meeting. However, provision has been made for online participants who are not able to attend physically.

ASARECA Agriculture Ministerial Conference (AAMC)

The AAMC incorporates the ASARECA General Assembly (17th May 2023), Council of Patron Ministers (CPM) Meeting (18th May 2023) and the Scientific Conference (19th May 2023). The Council of Patron Ministers (CPM) is the highest governing organ of ASARECA. It comprises Ministers responsible for agricultural research in the Member States. Among other functions, it provides overall guidance on regional collaborative programmes; confers the legal authority to the Association as the signatory of its Constitution; endorses the appointment of the Board of Directors; provides guidance to the Board of Directors on strategic matters of importance to address agricultural research and development issues commensurate with the Mission of the Association; and supports in advocacy for resource mobilisation to finance the Association.

The General Assembly (GA) is the second highest organ of ASARECA. It comprises stakeholders from Members States, including the private sector; farmer organisations; civil society organisations; organised extension bodies; and agricultural universities among others. The GA, through its powerful Business Committee brings together interests of stakeholders to hold at the CPM and GA meeting.

Like preceding ASARECA General Assemblies since 2011, the 2nd ASARECA CPM meeting and 4th ASARECA GA is a constitutional platform for ASARECA Member States. The convening is meant to take the highest decisions on the governance, programming and priorities of the Association.

Platform for regional leadership

Noting the emphasis that the 1st ASARECA CPM meeting of May 2019 placed on fostering joint action, especially for transboundary challenges, ASARECA Secretariat is convening the 2nd CPM and 4th GA and Science Conference to deliberate on mechanisms for enhancing the momentum in Building Resilient Food Systems. This meeting is expected to generate consensus, actions and commitments to facilitate new initiatives aimed at Building Resilient Food Systems to Feed Africa for Generations.

Sub-Themes

Mitigating effects of climate change to build resilience to vulnerabilities and boost productivity

1. Catalyzing private sector investments for commercialization of Technologies Innovations and Management Practices (TIMPs).
2. Empowering farmers, women and youth and other vulnerable groups to participate in food systems through access to information and technologies
3. Breaking barriers to uptake of TIMPs through innovation and digitalization for food systems transformation.
4. Policy engagement, inclusive agricultural markets and trade.
5. Partnerships for strategic transformation

Objective

The overall objective of the 2nd CPM and 4th GA, and Science Conference is to facilitate the Ministers and the General Assembly to exercise their oversight functions including review of the Associations performance and propose the desired growth trajectory.

Specific objectives

The specific objectives of the 2nd CPM and 4th GA and Scientific Conference are:

1. Review the strategies, priorities, and research programmes of ASAREAC and identify regional priorities for agricultural research and innovation.
2. Discuss mechanisms for building resilient food systems and identify concrete joint actions for implementation.
3. Identify mechanisms for leveraging resources to support coordinated implementation joint actions towards building resilient food systems in the sub-region.
4. Approve the admission of new Core Members into the Association
5. Undertake other governance functions

Who is expected to attend?

The 2nd CPM and 4th GA and Scientific Conference will be attended by the following key stakeholders:

1. The Line ministers responsible for Agriculture in ASARECA Member States
2. The ASARECA General Assembly
3. Directors General of National Agricultural Research Institutes
4. ASARECA Board of Directors
5. ASARECA National Focal Persons
6. ASARECA High Level Advisory Panel
7. Representatives of Development Partners
8. Continental organisations (FARA, AFAAS, RUFORUM)
9. Regional Economic Communities
10. Sub- regional Organisations (CCARDESSA, CORAF).
11. Agricultural extension umbrella bodies agencies
12. Agricultural training and education institutions
13. Farmer associations
14. Associations of agricultural product services, businesses and consumers.
15. Organized women and youth groups working in agriculture.
16. Non-governmental organisations supporting agriculture and development.
17. Private sector partners and investors
18. Development Partners
19. The CGIAR and strategic partners

Expected outputs

The 2nd CPM and 4th GA is expected to generate the following outputs:

1. Strategies, priorities, and research programmes of the Association reviewed and regional priorities for agricultural research and innovation identified.
2. Mechanisms for building resilient food systems and concrete joint actions for implementation identified.
3. Mechanisms for leveraging resources to support coordinated implementation of joint actions towards building resilient food systems in the sub-region agreed upon and documented.
4. New Core Members admitted into the Association.
5. Other governance functions undertaken.