2nd Africa Ecosystem Based Adaptation for Food Security Conference 2015 (EBAFOSC 2)

On Friday, EBAFOSC 2 delegates met in plenary discussions throughout the day to explore policy issues related to scaling up EBA-driven agriculture on the continent, as well as practical recommendations for the way forward.

The first plenary session, on ‘Making EBA work in Africa through maximizing policy frameworks,’ explored, among other issues: why current policies are not working for EBA-driven agriculture; how to mainstream EBA concepts within existing regional policy frameworks and political processes; new forms of public and private investment that can support the transformation of Africa’s agricultural paradigm; and how to generate resources for knowledge generation, dissemination and capacity building.

In the second plenary session, titled ‘Way forward – plans and strategies for implementing and scaling up EBA approaches and agro-value chains to ensure food security, ecosystem productivity, climate resilience and income generation,’ delegates exchanged views on, among other issues: the roles of different stakeholders in implementing and monitoring the progress of EBA-driven agriculture at the local, national and regional levels; and how to foster collaboration and increased synergies among the various levels.

During the closing session in the afternoon, participants adopted ‘The Nairobi Action Agenda on Africa’s Ecosystem Based Adaptation for Food Security’ as well as, the Constitution establishing a new pan-African institution, the Ecosystem Based Adaptation for Food Security Assembly (EBAFOSA). Following closing remarks by Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, AUC, Conference Chair Alice Kaudia, Environment Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Kenya, declared EBAFOSC 2 closed at 3:15 pm.

The 2nd Ecosystem Based Adaptation for Food Security Conference (EBAFOSC 2) opened on Thursday 30 July 2015 at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Headquarters in Nairobi, on the theme ‘Re-imagining Africa’s Food Security through Harnessing Ecosystem Based Adaptation Approaches Now and Into the Future under Climate Change.

Following welcome remarks by Richard Munang, Coordinator, Africa Regional Climate Change Programme at the UNEP Regional Office for Africa (UNEP/ROA), delegates heard introductory statements by high-level representatives of key EBAFOSC 2 organizing partners, including: Patrick Kormawa, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) Sub-Regional Coordinator for Eastern Africa and Representative to the African Union (AU) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA); Cosmas Ochieng, Executive Director, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS); Yemi Akinbamijo, Executive Director, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA); Agnes Kalibata, President, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA); Mounkaila Goumandakoye, Regional Director, UNEP/ROA; and Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, AU Commission (AUC).

During a plenary discussion on ‘Building scalable and inclusive business models for EBA,’ speakers presented challenges and best practices based on research and practical experiences across the continent.

In the afternoon, delegates met in seven parallel sessions addressing the overall theme of 'Making EBA-driven agriculture work in Africa now and into the future - optimizing and unleashing opportunities for EBA-driven agriculture in Africa.' The sessions addressed, inter alia: the role of youth and women in EBA-driven agriculture; innovative financing models; the role of the private sector; south-south cooperation; innovations to reduce post-harvest losses and wastage; and resilience to climate change. During a final closing plenary session, rapporteurs presented highlights from the seven parallel sessions.