Angolan President João Lourenço emphasized that African states are “falling far short” of the commitments outlined in the Malabo Declaration, the 2014 agreement by African heads of state to boost agricultural production and ensure food security.
Lourenço urged nations to prioritize agriculture, stating, “We must place agriculture among the highest priorities of each of our nations, as it constitutes the foundation of our economies’ development, food security, and the path to inclusive growth.”
To achieve this goal, Lourenço highlighted the need for African countries to fulfill their commitments under the Malabo Declaration, which includes allocating 10% of national budgets to the agricultural sector.
The Angolan leader also stressed the importance of adopting a Strategy and Action Plan for the Integrated Program for Agricultural Development in Africa for the next decade (2026-2035). He called on the African Union to provide the necessary tools for the plan’s implementation.
It is worth noting that Angola will assume the rotating presidency of the African Union in February for a one-year term.
In his speech, Lourenço highlighted the need to attract investments to the agricultural sector and underlined the “vital importance” of mechanizing agriculture, improving infrastructure, certifying seeds, and developing irrigation systems. These efforts aim to enhance export capacity, achieve self-sufficiency, and ensure food security across the continent.
The Angolan head of state delivered his remarks on Saturday, November 11, during the extraordinary session of the African Union Conference of Heads of State and Government dedicated to agricultural development in Africa. Leaders convened in Kampala, Uganda.
Source: VOA Português
