Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn has touched down in Uganda to co-chair the 13th Malabo Montpellier Panel, a gathering of international agriculture experts focused on accelerating progress towards food and nutritional security in Africa.
He will chair the forum with H.E Dr Assia Ben Salah Alaoui, ambassador at Large to the Kingdom of Morocco.
The event, set to take place in Uganda on February 14th, will center around the theme “Policy Innovations to Create Opportunities for Young People in Africa’s Agrifood Systems.”
The Malabo Montpellier Panel is renowned for providing strategic guidance on policy choices aimed at enhancing agricultural development across the African continent. Prime Minister Dessalegn’s presence is expected to bring valuable insights and experiences to the discussions.
Key figures from the Ugandan government are participating in the forum, including Dr. Monica Musenero and Hellen Adoa, both ministers with significant roles in the country’s agricultural sector. Their contributions are anticipated to shed light on Uganda’s approach to fostering opportunities for young individuals within the agrifood systems.
In his opening remarks, H.E Dessalegn said, “In Ethiopia, my country, as in some other African countries, food systems have been projected to add more jobs in the coming years and the Ethiopian Government has put in place a number of policy prescriptions and concrete action points with appropriate institutional set-ups to deal with the situation.”
He added, “Some examples include like- establishing ministry of skills and jobs, setting up youth fund, constituting an equipment lease financing program, reclaimed land allocation for youth agri-food production and allocating public land to graduates for high-value productions like floriculture, horticulture, industrial inputs, and livestock production.”
International voices will also be heard during the event, with Debisi Araba, a visiting researcher at Imperial College, London, and Ms. Jeannette Wijnants, Uganda Country Director of Welthungerhilfe, among the distinguished speakers. Hon. Vangelis Peter Haritatos, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water & Rural Development from Zimbabwe, will also share insights during the panel discussions.
The forum is expected to address critical issues related to policy innovations, technology adoption, and sustainable practices that can empower young people in Africa to actively contribute to the agricultural sector. With a diverse array of perspectives and experiences, the 13th Malabo Montpellier Panel aims to drive actionable solutions for the challenges facing the continent’s agrifood systems.
