AU-EU IRC on FNSSA Governance Kick-Off Meeting
2026-04-14
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 to their roles, mandates, and interlinkages under the IRC Statutes and Strategy.
Present the operational role of the IRC Secretariat, including ongoing functions in coordination, knowledge management, MEL, communications, and HLPD interfacing.
Propose working arrangements and Secretariat-facilitated coordination processes to ensure functionality while formal leadership roles are being established.
Share draft governance tools and delivery frameworks, including an early Roadmap–FWG alignment matrix, a MEL “starter set,” and initial risk categories for review and feedback.
Agree on interim working arrangements and nest steps toward mid 2026 governance decisions

Expected Outcomes
The meeting is structured for collective orientation and activation. Expected outcomes include:

Shared understanding of the IRC’s governance structure and its role in supporting Roadmap delivery.
Clarity on the Secretariat’s coordination and support functions, and its interim facilitation role.
Initial engagement with delivery tools, including: a draft Roadmap-to-FWG alignment concept, a proposed MEL starter set and preliminary risk register structure
Agreement to convene a second governance meeting in mid 2026 post stakeholders feedback on the draft renewed Roadmap (expected to take place in June) to confirm leadership roles, adopt Joint Work packages and approve operational plans.
Adoption of a Communique marking the start of the IRC-FNSAA Pilot governance phase.
