Adjustment of dates for ASARECA Agriculture Ministerial Conference

The Council of Patron Ministers (CPM) is the highest governing organ of ASARECA. It comprises Ministers responsible for agricultural research in the Member States

BY BEN MOSES ILAKUT

ASARECA will hold the ASARECA Agriculture Ministerial Conference (AAMC) on May 17 to 19, 2023 at Speke Resort, Munyonyo in Uganda. The AAMC will feature the 2^nd Council of Patron Ministers’ (CPM) Meeting, the 4th General Assembly, and Science Conference.  The theme of this high level event is Building Resilient Food Systems to Feed Africa for Generations. The meeting will primarily be a physical meeting. However, provision has been made for online participants who are not able to attend physically.

Overview of ASARECA CPM and GA

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 2^nd ASARECA CPM meeting and 4^th 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 AR4D leadership

Noting the emphasis that the 1^st ASARECA CPM meeting of May 2019 placed on fostering joint action, especially for transboundary challenges, ASARECA Secretariat is convening the 2^nd CPM and 4^th 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
• Catalyzing private sector investments for commercialization of Technologies Innovations and Management Practices (TIMPs).
• Empowering farmers, women and youth and other vulnerable groups to participate in food systems through access to information and technologies
• Breaking barriers to uptake of TIMPs through innovation and digitalization for food systems transformation.
• Policy engagement, inclusive agricultural markets and trade.
• Partnerships for strategic transformation

Objective

The overall objective of the AACM 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.

Who is expected to attend?

The AACM will be attended by the following key ASARECA stakeholders: (i) The Line ministers responsible for Agriculture in ASARECA Member States; (ii) ASARECA General Assembly; (iii) Directors General of National Agricultural Research Institutes; (iv) ASARECA Board of Directors; (iv) ASARECA National Focal Persons; (v) ASARECA High Level Advisory Panel; (vi) Representatives of Development Partners; (vii) Continental organisations; (viii) Regional Economic Communities; (ix) Sub- regional Organisations (CCARDESSA, CORAF); (x) Agricultural extension umbrella bodies agencies; (xi) Agricultural training and education institutions; (xii) Farmer associations; (xiii) Associations of agricultural product services, businesses and consumers; (xiv) Organized women and youth groups working in agriculture; (xv) Non-governmental organisations supporting agriculture and development; (xvi) Private sector partners and investors; (xvii) Development Partners; and (xviii) CGIAR and other strategic partners

Expected outputs

The AACM  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.

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