The 16th Social Protection Meeting, a hybrid FAO meeting, will bring together experts, government officials and key civil society actors to discuss essential social protection measures to combat poverty and improve food security in the region.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Subregional Office for West Africa announces the holding of its 16th annual meeting of the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT16) from 19 to November 22, 2024 at the Praia Mar Hotel in Praia, Cabo Verde.
According to an FAO press release received at APA, this meeting will take place in hybrid mode under the theme: “ Synergy between actors: dynamic social protection to strengthen resilience and ensure food and nutritional security in West Africa ».
Social protection measures, says the UN agency, are essential to fight poverty, prevent risks and improve livelihoods, especially in times of crisis. When well designed, these measures can improve diet quality, promote gender equality, support education and develop productive and social infrastructure to boost the rural economy.
Despite government commitments, coverage of social protection systems in West Africa remains low, with only 13% of the population benefiting from at least one benefit. Public spending on social protection represents on average less than 1% of GDP. It is therefore crucial to integrate social protection into broader rural development policies and programs. The adoption of the ECOWAS social protection framework constitutes a significant step forward in helping countries improve their social protection systems and cross-sectoral coordination.
Chaired by Mr. Gilberto Silva, Cape Verdean Minister of Agriculture and Environment, this 16th edition will bring together for four days technical experts, senior officials from the ministries concerned, representatives of economic communities and sub-regional institutions (ECOWAS, CILSS, UEMOA, CORAF, AES, etc.), as well as United Nations agencies, civil society organizations and other key stakeholders. This platform will allow discussions on the achievements and challenges linked to social protection in West Africa.
« We aim to establish a robust platform for collaboration between the FAO Sub-Regional Office for West Africa, national offices, governments, regional economic communities, civil society and the private sector. This will be an opportunity to examine our achievements and challenges together while devising approaches to capitalize on our successes and resolve issues said Ms Bintia Stephen Tchicaya, Senior Policy Officer at the FAO Sub-Regional Office for West Africa.
This 16th meeting of the MDT will bring together the Sub-Regional Coordinator and FAO Representative in Senegal, as well as representatives of the 14 other countries in the sub-region. Ms. Tchicaya added that “ This meeting will promote discussions on emerging trends in social protection in West Africa. The objective will be to combat vulnerabilities and promote the inclusive transformation of rural and agri-food systems. This will also be an opportunity to identify priority actions to be implemented to ensure social protection in West Africa within the framework of the Revised Strategic Framework 2022-2031 and the Medium-Term Plan (PMT) ».
« We will review progress made in implementing the recommendations of the 15th PCT meeting and set priorities for the next FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC 34), which will be held in Mauritania in 2026. Participants will also share key insights and lessons learned from the application of the FAO Strategic Framework. At the end of this meeting, participants will have a better understanding of social protection issues and their importance for building resilient communities in West Africa and the Sahel. », a conclu Mme Tchicaya.
The FAO Sub-Regional Office for West Africa was officially opened on 25 April 2019. It covers fifteen countries, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo, representing more than 300 million inhabitants.
It supports subregional organizations through its strategy and member countries via the Country Programming Framework (CPP), a strategic document developed jointly by FAO and each member country, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The CPP guides the action of technical and financial partners in the countries concerned, with the mission of ensuring regular access to quality food for all citizens.
AC/SF/APA
