Africa Not on Track to Achieve Zero Hunger by 2030: FAO

Addis Ababa March 4/2021 (ENA) Africa is not on track to achieve zero hunger by 2030, according to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

FAO Regional Representative for Africa, Abebe Haile-Gabriel made the remark on Wednesday at a meeting reviewing progress made by the continent towards attaining that goal so far, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) stated in a statement.

Co-organised by ECA and the World Food Programme (WFP), in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Congo, the meeting is part of the Seventh Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) that is underway in Brazzaville.

During the meeting, FAO Regional Representative for Africa, Abebe Haile-Gabriel told the media that Africa is not in track to achieve zero hunger by 2030.

“The results remain unsatisfactory and there are many challenges due to climate change, the poor economic situation and the negative impacts of COVID 19, as well as the lack of public investment,” Abebe said.

However, he said African Continental Free Trade Area was a unique opportunity for the transformation of the continent’s food system.

Political will and commitment at the highest level was key to address the issue of hunger in Africa, he noted, adding national and local level actions and investments were also critical.

He said there was an urgent need for the continent to build back and forward better after the COVID-19 pandemic, with governments being called on to invest in social protection measures to save the most vulnerable in society.

The transformation of the African food system is crucial to help end hunger, he said, adding the adoption of holistic multi sectoral approaches was needed, he added.