TheCable

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says it is unlikely that Africa will achieve food security and end hunger by the 2030 deadline set by the United Nations.

Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO regional representative to Africa, disclosed this on Wednesday.

Zero hunger is the second of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) established by the UN in 2015.

Addressing a review meeting to assess progress made by the continent towards attaining the goal so far, Haile-Gabriel said the results remained unsatisfactory, given the many challenges from climate change, poor economic situation and the negative impacts of COVID-19.

He added that lack of public investment is another setback.

He, however, said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offered a unique opportunity for the transformation of the continent’s food system.

“The transformation of the African food system is crucial to help end hunger,” Haile-Gabriel said.

He added that to address the issue of hunger in Africa, political will and commitment at the highest level were key, just as national and local level actions and investments were also critical.

The meeting was part of the seventh session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) held in Brazzaville, capital city of Congo.

The review meeting was co-organised by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the WFP, in collaboration with the government of Congo.