The primary objective of the workshop is to gather feedback from national stakeholders about the achievements and lessons learned from the 2016-2026 FNSSA Roadmap, and to collectively devise a strategic course of action for developing the 2027-2037 FNSSA Roadmap. Concept Notes (English) Concept Notes (French) Zoom Registration Link: https://bit.ly/4dSirzV Time: 2:00pm - 4:30pm EAT.
Date: 17 October, 2024 @ 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM CET Theme: Engaging Policy, Science and Partnership for Sustainable Food Systems in Africa The 2024 General Annual Assembly of the Pan-African Network for Economic Analysis of Policies (PANAP) will be organized as an online virtual meeting. The assembly will be chaired by the Africa Union Commission (AUC), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), and the European Commission (JRC and INTPA). All network partners are invited to participate. Registration: https://faraafrica.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArcOuqrTwjG9ANUNQjomDu0D_oYa8rw0KM
Theme: One Planet – Sustainable Bioeconomy Solutions for Global Challenges Date: 23-24 October, 2024 Location: Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya The Global Bioeconomy Summit (GBS) 2024 will gather leaders of bioeconomy from all hemispheres and will highlight a sustainable bioeconomy as the key to decarbonisation and sustainable transition to less fossil fuel dependent, rural and urban green economies; while building resilient and sustainable food systems, reversing biodiversity loss, meeting health challenges, and using innovation as a driver for new economic opportunities, especially jobs for the youth. The Summit brings together bioeconomy industry pioneers, bioeconomy experts around the world and fosters dialogue between widely different actors to promote sharing of best practices and to identify opportunities for global innovation and collaboration. The 4th Global Bioeconomy Summit will be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa on 23rd and 24th October 2024. GBS2024 will discuss: Cross sectoral topics (e.g., agri-food systems, forestry, ocean/aquatic, biomanufacturing, biopharma, biotechnology, biomaterials, and bioenergy) Ecosystems (e.g., nature / ecology, consumer products, construction, and urban design) Supporting mechanisms and enablers (e.g., policies, finance, standards, measurements, certifications). The GBS is a forum that fosters dialogue between widely different actors to promote sharing of best practices, to identify opportunities for global […]
The CEA-FIRST Policy Forum will bring together policymakers, funders, and higher education institutions to strengthen the AU-EU International Research Consortium (IRC) on Food Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA). Through structured dialogue and interactive sessions, participants will explore ways to reduce fragmentation in AU-EU collaboration, enhance evidence-based policymaking, and improve coordination of FNSSA-related funding. Keynote speakers and experts will provide insights into the IRC’s role in FNSSA collaborations, while interactive discussions will gather input to shape the IRC’s strategic direction, encouraging stakeholder dialogue and innovation for Africa’s agricultural systems. The session’s collaborative format will encourage dialogue between stakeholders and support CAADP’s agenda to create robust, evidence-based policy environments that drive innovation and inclusivity across Africa’s agricultural systems.This forum directly supports CAADP’s mission by addressing gaps in research, fostering strategic coordination, and promoting policies that contribute to Africa’s agricultural transformation and Agenda 2063 goals Download Concept note
Africa and Europe share a profound and historically rooted connection characterized by diverse cultures, geographical proximity, and a commitment to a common future. Their commitment to a common future is grounded in mutual values such as respect for human rights, freedom, equality, solidarity, justice, the rule of law, and democracy—principles enshrined in the foundational texts of both the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU). This partnership has been strengthened through a series of Africa-EU Summits, including key meetings in Cairo (2000), Lisbon (2007), Tripoli (2010), and Brussels (2014). Notably, the Lisbon Summit produced the "Joint Africa-EU Strategy and Action Plan" (JAES), which established priorities for collaboration, particularly in Science, Information Society, and Space. Download Concept note
This event will offer a unique opportunity to connect with global stakeholders and foster the exchange of ideas on the summit's four pillars. The Summit’s main objectives are thus designed to critically appraise within the context of the remaining timeframe of the SDGs, what can be realistically achieved, with whom, and with what resources, policy restructuring and strategies. It will also foster knowledge transfer, catalyze multidisciplinary collaboration, multiply synergistic pathways and stakeholder engagement, and contribute to co-creation and innovative projects, capitalizing and densifying the existing collaborative initiatives and platforms towards the swift implementation of tangible and robust solutions. The focus will be on propelling new partnerships and action via South-South-North multi-stakeholder cooperation and investment in the 4 major domains: P: Planetary Health: Nurturing life within the global boundaries A: Agricultural Development: Sustainability as a path to socioeconomic progress T: Territorial And Social Transitions: Building resilient spaces and societies in every dimension H: Human Growth: Empowerment and technology for the times ahead Date: November 4-8, 2024 Venue: Lisbon, Portugal Conference Registration ends – October 25, 2024 To Register, visit: https://www.tropicalsummit2024.com/registration/form-guidelines
Agrifood systems need to become more sustainable, healthy, productive, inclusive, climate resilient to be able to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. This requires profound changes through the contribution of research and innovation (R&I). The EU Research and Innovation cooperation agenda is implemented within the framework of various dialogue fora with partner countries. It is also part of the Global Gateway including a pillar on “education and research”. It mobilizes different EU instruments and programs such as the DeSIRA initiative or the Horizon Europe programme. This conference is organized by DG INTPA in collaboration with other EU Directorate Generals.It specifically addresses the question of how cooperation in R&I can contribute to desirable agrifood systems transformation, discussing principles, partnerships, methods for innovation at scale, capacities, funding, and policies. The conference is built on the collective achievements and consolidated lessons of the DeSIRA initiative and takes stock of other R&I programmes implemented or supported by EU.The main conference objectives are to: Share results and lessons on the contribution of R&I projects to food systems transformation in LMICs through the experiences of UE interventions and similar other international interventions. Identify key enablers and hurdles for innovation at scale for productive, inclusive, and sustainable […]
Background The CEA-FIRST project, funded under Horizon Europe, is operationalising the International Research Consortium (IRC) on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA). Anchored in the AU-EU partnership and guided by the FNSSA Roadmap of the High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD), the IRC is envisioned as a multi-actor, member-based platform designed to address fragmentation in research and innovation (R&I) efforts and promote scalable, impactful solutions. The operationalisation is being undertaken in consolidation and pilot phases. Over the course of the Consolidation Phase, the CEA-FIRST project has made significant progress in establishing foundational structures and laying the groundwork for IRC implementation, which now informs the transition to the pilot phase. Notable achievements over the past 24 months include: Establishment of CEA-FIRST project governance structures, visual identity, dissemination, exploitation and communication plan and channels Establishment of the IRC’s governance structures and operational frameworks, such as the General Assembly, Secretariat, Council, External Advisory Committee, and Working Groups. Development of IRC Statutes, designed primarily as a comprehensive partnership instrument, detailing its governance, membership and operational structure. Launch of the IRC membership call and development of a membership growth strategy, including the TOR for implementation. Review of the 2016–2026 AU-EU FNSSA Roadmap. Development of a […]
Background The AU-EU IRC on FNSSA, currently being operationalised by the CEA-FIRST project, is a multi-actor, member-based ‘Network-of-networks’, optimising the impact of Research and Innovation (R&I) investments, and strengthening capacity building within the AU-EU FNSSA R&I framework. Central to the realisation of these objectives is the formal establishment and activation of various IRC governance bodies, comprising the Secretariat, IRC Council, External Advisory Committee, thematic Working Groups, and the General Assembly. In the past 24 months of implementation, the CEA-FIRST project has made remarkable strides: • Essential IRC governance structures and operational frameworks (General Assembly, Secretariat, Council, External Advisory Committee, and Working Groups) have been established. • Launch of IRC membership, along with strategies for membership growth, including the TOR for implementation. • Development of IRC Statutes, a visual identity, and dissemination, exploitation and communication plan and channels • Review of the 2016-2026 AU-EU FNSSA Roadmap and initiation of calls for Working Groups and expressions of interest for IRC Anchor Institutions A significant milestone was reached with the activation of the Secretariat during the first IRC General Assembly, held in Brussels on March 14, 2025. This event marked Milestone 3 of the CEA-FIRST project and provided the momentum needed to operationalise […]
Over the past year, the IRC Secretariat has been activated, hosted by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) with contributions from European and African partners. It will support coordination, knowledge management, monitoring and learning, and policy dialogue functions, in line with the IRC Statutes and Strategy adopted in late 2025. The IRC governance bodies, including the General Assembly (GA), Council, External Advisory Committee (EAC), Functional Working Groups (FWGs), and Anchor Institutions, have now been nominated. This Kick-Off Meeting marks their initial collective engagement and the beginning of the collaborative governance phase of the IRC. At the same time, the renewal of the FNSSA Roadmap (2027–2036) is in its final drafting stage and expected to be concluded by May 2026. The IRC is positioned to serve as the institutional bridge between this renewed Roadmap and its implementation, particularly in the lead-up to the anticipated AU–EU Ministerial endorsement moment in November. Objectives of the Kick-Off Meeting This meeting will formally launch the IRC governance phase and position the IRC as a key implementation mechanism for the emerging FNSSA Roadmap 2027-2036. The agenda for the meeting includes: Introduce and orient newly nominated members of the Council, EAC, FWGs, and Anchor Institutions […]