By Martin Bwalya

FAO Director General Jacques Diouf

Speaking at the start of last week’s high-level NEPAD-FAO bilateral discussions, Dr. Mayaki who was recently appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NEPAD noted that FAO had a critical role to play in supporting regional and country level CAADP implementation, particularly with regard to the development of investment programmes of those countries that have signed up to the CAADP Compact. The discussions between the two development organizations were focused on defining real concrete avenues and action points for joint cooperation in supporting CAADP implementation.

Dr. Mayaki, led the NEPAD delegation which included Mr. Martin Bwalya, Lead Specialist – Sustainable Land and Water Management / Team Leader – CAADP Implementation Support and Ms. Bibi Giyose, Senior Adviser (Nutrition). The NEPAD delegation held meetings with FAO Director General, Dr. Jacques Diouf  and several senior staff led by Mr. J. M. Sumpsi, ADG/TC. The meetings were a follow-up to the bilateral discussions held at the NEPAD Offices in Midrand, South Africa in early September 2009.

FAO is already mobilising its national and regional level offices and experts to directly engage and align its support to the CAADP country processes. FAO has also pledged to increase its support to enhancing capacity at the African Union Commission, NEPAD and at the level of the Regional Economic Communities. FAO is also in the process of setting up a technical CAADP Task Team charged with ensuring coordinated and integrated support from its various technical divisions to CAADP implementation.

FAO secures USD 2.8 million to support CAADP implementation

During the meeting, the FAO Director General informed the NEPAD delegation led that FAO had secured USD 2.8 Million from the Italian Government to fund its support to CAADP implementation. Under this programme, FAO will support:

(i)             strengthening of African Union Commission and NEPAD in providing policy guidance to CAADP implementation and

(ii)            selected African countries who have signed the CAADP Compact in formulation of quality investment programmes and alignment of their policies for effective CAADP implementation.

FAO will in this context also facilitate enhanced coordination of the United Nations efforts in supporting the CAADP agenda.