Africa Discussion of IFPRI’s 2022 Global Food Policy Report Climate Change and Food Systems

IFPRI’s 2022 Global Food Policy Report (GFPR) highlights the urgency of accelerating innovation, reforming policies, resetting market incentives, and increasing financing for sustainable food systems transformation. It sets forth a broad range of policy options for accelerated action by policymakers as well as international forums for policy and investment decision-making.

Eleven thematic chapters look at how policies can support the development and adoption of “disruptive” technologies by creating an enabling environment for climate change–related financing, innovation uptake, and integrated governance of natural resources. The chapters also examine the impacts of climate change and related policies on the most vulnerable, considering how to promote healthy, sustainable diets and increase benefits for all from food systems. Six regional chapters discuss the diverse impacts of climate change in different parts of the world and identify potential responses that can be taken up in the short and medium term in national and regional food systems.

The virtual Africa discussion will feature a high-level panel to discuss the report's key findings and implications for Africa and its regions. Speakers will discuss key climate change related challenges facing food systems on the continent and examine policy options and investments which can be adopted now to address these challenges. The event will provide a comprehensive understanding of how climate change is likely to affect the availability, access, and utilization of food in different regions across the world. The findings will also help find ways to mitigate these effects through adaptation policies and investments.

Welcome Remarks

• Samuel Benin, Deputy Division Director, Africa Regional Office, IFPRI

Report Overview

• Johan Swinnen, Global Director, CGIAR Systems Transformation Science Group & Director General, IFPRI
• Channing Arndt, Director of Environment and Production Technology Division, IFPRI

Overview of Africa Results

• John Ulimwengu, Senior Research Fellow, Africa Regional Office, IFPRI

Panel 1: Reactions from Government and Policy

• Mandefro Nigussie, Chief Executive Officer, Agriculture Transformation Agency (ATA), (Ethiopia)
• Pape Malick Ndao, General Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Equipment (Senegal)

Panel 2: Reactions from Regional Partners

• Ade Freeman, Regional Programme Leader, Regional Office for Africa, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• Sithembile Ndema Mwamakamba, Director, Policy Research and Analysis, Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN)

Closing Remarks

• Samuel Benin, Deputy Division Director, Africa Regional Office, IFPRI

Moderator

• Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI