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The Conseil Ouest et Centre Africain pour la Recherche et le Développement Agricoles (CORAF) has been working for many years to improve livelihoods in West and Central Africa through sustainable increases in agricultural production and productivity, promoting competitiveness and markets. Every two years, CORAF organizes a General Assembly of its members to take stock and define new orientations in terms of policy, programs, agreements, protocols, statutes and financial plans. 

Organized this year in Cotonou, Benin, CORAF's 14th Ordinary Session of the General Assembly (AG-14) is being held under the theme: " Increasing collaboration with the private sector in West and Central Africa to mitigate the impact of climate, health and security crises on agriculture ". 

The General Assembly will open on Monday April 15, 2024, under the co-sponsorship of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Benin. Speeches will be given by the Director General of INRAB, the Chairwoman of the CORAF Board of Directors, and the Commissioner of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). 

This regional event will bring together the directors of the National Agricultural Research Institutes of member National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS); representatives of regional producers' organizations, universities, the private sector, development partners, as well as representatives of the Regional Economic Communities (ECOWAS, UEAMO, CEEAC, CEMAC); members of the Board of Directors and other participants to discuss the challenges and opportunities linked to food security and agricultural resilience in a context of multiple crises. A special place will be given to private sector players in view of the central theme of GA-14. 

The 14th Session of the CORAF General Assembly will feature a number of events, including a panel of Ministers responsible for Agriculture and Research, plenary conferences; Benin Day in the form of an agricultural innovation and technology fair on the esplanade of the Palais de Congrès in Cotonou; and a session dedicated to CORAF governance issues. 

The CORAF Research Leaders Forum (CORAF Forum) will close these GA meetings on April 18, 2024, providing a platform to debate research and innovation priorities for agricultural development in the region. Discussions will also address health, food and security crises, underlining the importance of a holistic approach to the multiple challenges facing agriculture in West and Central Africa.

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About CORAF 

CORAF, a sub-regional organization made up of the national agricultural research systems of twenty-three West and Central African countries, is mandated to coordinate the implementation of sub-regional agricultural research policies as defined by governments. Created in 1987 with its Executive Secretariat in Dakar, Senegal, CORAF's main objective is to improve livelihoods in West and Central Africa, through sustainable increases in agricultural production and productivity, and to promote competitiveness and markets. 

For more information: http: //www.coraf.org/ 

Press contact: Christel KENOU, Communications Manager, c.kenou@coraf.org