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Dakar, April 27, 2021 - An important meeting of agricultural research stakeholders in West and Central Africa began today, April 27, with the overriding aim of reviewing progress in implementing plans and developing further strategies to meet the needs of farmers and producers in both regions.

Farmers and populations in West and Central Africa have recently had to cope with the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, both regions face challenges linked to insecurity, adversely affecting the food system on which most of the population depends.

Solving these challenges requires innovative solutions and quality research. This meeting of CORAF's key players enables partners to assess its performance since the adoption of new plans in 2018, and to consider appropriate solutions to emerging and future challenges.

"We conduct research and development activities throughout West and Central Africa to develop new products and services aimed at improving the quality of life of rural and farming families and satisfying the needs of our customers," said Dr Angela Moreno, Chairman of CORAF's Board of Directors, at the opening ceremony.

The General Assembly is CORAF's highest decision-making body and is held every three years. The last one was held in Dakar in April 2018.

A call for innovation and anticipation

As an instrument for coordinating research, CORAF is expected to provide innovative solutions to the challenges facing the food system in West and Central Africa. Some of the speakers at the opening ceremony identified innovation, greater scientific collaboration and anticipation as essential tools for tackling some of the economic challenges facing countries. This was particularly true of the representative of USAID, a key partner of CORAF.

"The region's challenges remain enormous and exacerbated by the pandemic, calling for more innovative approaches, more proactivity and better anticipation to contribute to the region's economic recovery," said Mr. Daniel Moore, USAID Director for West Africa.

USAID currently represents CORAF's financial and technical partners on the Board and GA. Mr Moore, speaking on their behalf, argued that building resilient, productive and competitive food systems was a way of reducing dependence on foreign aid and enhancing food self-sufficiency.

Scheduled for Wednesday, April 28, 2021, this first part of the CORAF GA is expected to produce the following results:

Approve the status of implementation of the resolutions and recommendations of the 12th Ordinary Session of the General Assembly;

• Harmonize CORAF's governance tools and adopt a roadmap for the implementation of the revised texts;
• Validate the proposal to support greater integration of CORAF activities in Central Africa and within the Economic Commission for Central African States (ECCAS), and plan consultative meetings;
• Review and adopt the progress report on the mid-term assessment of CORAF's institutional capacity performance and the roadmap for implementing the recommendations;
• Approve and present the new Board of Directors.

Following the virtual business meeting, a second, face-to-face part is scheduled to take place in the Chadian capital in January 2022, during which updated plans will be adopted to enable the organization to fulfill its mandate, strengthen food and nutrition security and boost prosperity.

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