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Director, Knowledge Systems, AKADEMIYA2063 Conference Conclusions & Way Forward Augustin Wambo Yamdjeu, PhD

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR ATOR 1. The ReSAKSS Annual Trends and Outlook Report (ATOR) serves as the official monitoring and evaluation report of CAADP. In addition to reporting on progress in CAADP implementation processes, indicators, and targets, each ATOR collects high-quality research on a topic related to agriculture and food systems transformation. 2. Theme of the 2023 ATOR derived from the AU Common Position Paper in response to the September 2021 UNFSS and the need to incorporate its recommendations into the CAADP agenda. OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED!

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR 2023 ReSAKSS ANNUAL CONFERENCE 1. Overall, this present conference sought to take stock of progress under the Malabo agenda and promote dialogue on pathways toward a more comprehensive post-Malabo agenda that integrates the priorities for successful FS transformation in the context of a changing climate and global shocks. 2. More specifically: • Discuss research evidence and recommendations presented in the 2023 ATOR on the performance of Africa’s food systems under the CAADP/Malabo agenda • Examine opportunities for accelerating a sustainable transformation of Africa’s food systems in relation to key thematic areas • Assess progress in promoting mutual accountability through the CAADP BR process • Review progress in the implementing CAADP NAIPs and RIAPs • Evaluate the status of CAADP implementation & progress toward achieving key goals and targets

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR 2023 ReSAKSS ANNUAL CONFERENCE •Attendee Insights • IN-PERSON v 82 in-person attendees on Day 1; v 61 in-person attendees on Day 2; v 47 in-person attendees on Day 3; • INSTITUTIONS v 43 institutions were represented in-person the conference, with over 170 online

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR RUN OF SHOW I. KEYNOTE “African Food Systems Transformation and the Post-Malabo Agenda: Megatrends and Knowledge Requirements to Inform Action” II. REFLECTIONS ON CAADP EXPERIENCE III. TAKING STOCK, TRACKING AND MEASURING PROGRESS UNDER MALABO IV. ANALYZING FOOD SYSTEMS AND ACCELERATING TRANSFORMATION: APPROACHES, TOOLS, AND METHODOLOGIES V. CONSOLIDATING KNOWLEDGE IN EMERGING THEMES VI. DATA, TECHNOLOGY, SCIENCE, AND INNOVATION VII. PROGRESS TOWARD ACHIEVING CAADP GOALS VIII. REFLECTIONS ON THE 2023 RESAKSS CONFERENCE THEME

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CONFERENCE

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR DATA • Data is the bedrock of transformation • Quality data is the cornerstone of informed decision-making. The report highlights ongoing efforts to enhance data availability but stresses the urgent need for comprehensive datasets to inform food system activities and policies. • The issue of data always remains critical in the design, implementation, and monitoring of food system transformation at all stages. The digitalization, centralization, data system, artificial intelligence associated with a good political will have proven to be a solutions that can provide precise, granular, and timely data. • Access to quality data help translate the CAADP/Malabo agenda from policy to effective action • Emphasis on investing in integrated data and knowledge systems that are talking to themselves

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR MONITORING & TRACKING • After 04 rounds of Biennial Reviews: vWay too many indicators vTargets not smart enough to help track the most important metrics • With the food systems thinking, it is critical to develop tools that help tracking of stakeholder actions towards food system implementation. • Integrating these efforts within CAADP or at least learning from CAADP will be cost effective

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR INVESTMENTS •Investments (financial, capacity, etc.) also emerged as a standing challenge. vUnder-investment vpoor targeting - very often funds are not injected through the right channels to achieve the expected results, additional research might be required on how to prioritize investments. •Tracking Financial Flows for Food System (3FS) emerged as a potentially powerful mapping tool, while at the same time providing good pointers to decision- making

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR NUTRITION •Nutrition is a political decision •Moving feeding to nourishing is the way to go •Having a smart food system able to provide food in enough quantity, but more quality and healthy food becomes a must. •Dealing with micronutrient deficiencies is central in the equation at hand and must be highlighted more, for more attention and action.

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR CAADP Malabo Outcomes &Outlook •The goals of CAADP have not yet been met. •Lack of progress in achieving CAADP/Malabo targets is a complex issue. •Dealing with legacy and [old and new] challenges facing Malabo Agenda •Setting up priorities for the post-Malabo Agenda •Better evidence in prioritization, targeting, foresighting, tracking, etc.

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT •The role of stakeholders (youth, gender, farmer organization, private sector, government entities, etc.) at all levels of the process is key. •A single institution cannot succeed this FS endeavor on its own. It will take a broad coalition of the willing to pull the strings

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR FOOD SAFETY • Africa must work toward reducing the cost of food safety burden • Generating credible evidence for risk assessment constrain food safety management • Poor implementation capacity of food safety actions • Poor food safety culture and norms • On micronutrient deficiencies, researchers should seek to developing a simple, comprehensive, and affordable methodology for monitoring such indicators.

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR On CAADP @ 20 • The CAADP journey has been that of never-ending and growing complexity, making it far more difficult to stay focused • What is the transformation of food system going to look like? • Our governments have not lived up to the expectations and failed to fulfil their mandates • Make sure to have farmers’ representation at all levels, after years of failure • Continuity by building on what has been working • DP support on building the next phase • Need to go back to the pillar frameworks kind of arrangements that guided actions under Maputo

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR KEY COMMITEMENTS •Amb. SACKO of the AU Commission has demonstrated strong leadership in driving the process leading to the Post- Malabo Agenda •USAID committed to continue its support to African Union leadership through to the design of the Post-Malabo Agenda, as well as ReSAKSS to continue to provide the knowledge its has been generating to inform action •FAO a re-committed their willingness to continue collaboration to bring about the changes we all want to see in our food systems

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR NEW CONCEPTS AND EMERGING ISSUES •POLYCRISIS •Nutrition is a political decision •Moving from feeding to nourishing •Agri-food systems vs Food systems

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR WAY FORWARD

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Accelerating Implementation: going beyond good planning •Planning seems to be reasonably good. •Where more is needed is implementation

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR In Post-Malabo Agenda • Next Theory of Change and Results Framework cannot mimic what we have had under Malabo • ToC and RF MUST be comprehensive and inclusive in its development • Smarter goals and targets will be needed to be set and informed by SCIENCE • Only carefully selected priority indicators will be needed • There will be need for countries to undertake comprehensive food system diagnostics in developing their agricultural strategies • As such, harmonized methodologies, tools, and analytical capacity required. • harmonize & synchronize pledges between continental imperative and uniqueness of national policy setting & implementation with collective goals. • Improved tracking mechanism: BR 3.0 harnessing all main lessons learned as well as existing technologies

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Key Future Research Focus - Consolidating knowledge in emerging themes • Nutrition-smart pathways. The call for nutrition-smart food systems is both urgent and compelling. • The imperative of food Safety. Elevate food safety as a driver of agricultural and market development, public health, and food security. On micronutrient deficiencies, researchers should seek to developing a simple, comprehensive, and affordable methodology for monitoring such indicators. • Embracing Food Systems Approach: Need for harmonized methodologies and tools • Climate adaptation economics. Investing in climate adaptation is not just an environmental imperative but an economic one. This approach marks a transition from reactive to proactive, from short-term fixes to long-term, productivity-enhancing investments.

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Key Future Research Focus - Consolidating knowledge in emerging themes • GHG emissions: Data and analytics needed to understand GHG emissions, biophysical and climate risk variables • Gender transformative change. Empowerment goes beyond mere participation, aiming to reshape norms and systems for equitable and productive engagement of all genders. • Bioeconomy as a vehicle for change. The narrative around bioeconomy has evolved, and the current meta discourse positions it as a growth pattern that applies science, technology, and innovation for the sustainable production and valorization of biological resources and creation of innovative products, processes, and biodiversity services across economic sectors.

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Key Future Research Focus - Consolidating knowledge in emerging themes • More integration of regional research systems. More and better innovations efforts are needed • Resilience and sustainability. The complex and interconnected nature of food systems calls for holistic analysis and foresight. • More local food processing. Emerging processing sector and agri-food industry dynamics

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR Next ATOR • Possible focus of the 2024 ATOR will be on Climate & Bioeconomy • Overall design ongoing and selection of possible chapters and potential authors already in discussion • Interested authors encouraged to come forward or suggest names • An ATOR Authors’ Workshop being scheduled for 2nd week of December 2023 Next ReSAKSS Annual Conference • Targeting last week of October 2024 [TBC] • Venue yet to be decided

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#2023ReSAKSS #2023ATOR 2023 ATOR, Presentations & Social Media • 2023 ATOR will soon be available online: full report and individual chapters: https://www.resakss.org/ https://conference.resakss.org/ • Conference presentations will be made available on the AKADEMIYA2063’s SlideShare website soon after conference • https://www.slideshare.net/AKADEMIYA • Conference recording will be made available on AKADEMIYA2063’s YouTube channel • Share conference deliberations and your views on social media #2023ATOR #2023ReSAKSS

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THANK YOU