African Development Bank Group

01/27/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/27/2023 09:22

Closing Speech Delivered by Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina President, African Development Bank Group - Feed Africa Summit: Food Sovereignty and Resilience. 27 January 2023, Dakar, Senegal

[PROTOCOLS]

It was two days ago that we all gathered here in Dakar for the Feed Africa Summit. We came in response to a clarion call out of Africa that it is time for Africa to feed Africa. The clarion call was that the time is right, and the time is now for Africa to feed itself. We came from Africa. We came from around the world.

African heads of state and governments gathered in such large numbers, 34 African heads of state in government in total, to show their determination to feed Africa. They turned their political will into concrete actions. And they did so, so passionately. Over two days, they participated in animated panel discussions.

They chaired presidential boardrooms on Food and Agriculture Delivery Compacts for their respective countries. Hurdling together, they shared ideas and their heart on what they must do to ensure that Africa feeds itself.

They worked in board rooms until late at night.

What commitment!

What dedication!

Development partners and the private sector showed up in unprecedented numbers. The message was clear: we will work together to strongly support the implementation of the Food and Agriculture Delivery Compacts at country levels.

What matters now is implementation, results and impacts at scale to boost food production and feed Africa with set targets and timelines.

In a new way of working, heads of state and government took upon themselves the leadership and responsibility to personally lead the charge to feed their countries.

They came, they listened, they acted!

The heads of state and government committed to set up presidential high-level advisory councils to oversee the implementation of the Food and Agriculture Delivery Compacts, to be chaired by the presidents themselves in their respective countries.

Development partners also came from over the world; they came, theylistened and acted!

We agreed to support these compacts with a sharp focus on transparency and results.

Development partners collectively committed $30 billion towards the implementation of the Food and Agriculture Delivery Compacts, over the next five years.

And we expect to do more!

With strong collective determination and resolve, we will work in coordination and partnerships to help countries to deliver success.

It is truly amazing that in just two days we collectively got so much done! We did it together!

I would like to thank most sincerely H.E. President Macky Sall for hosting this Summit.

Your participation and your support were simply incredible.

Your hospitality was remarkable.

And your leadership was outstanding and inspiring!

Thank you, once again, my dear brother and friend President Macky Sall!

I would like to thank all the Heads of State and government; your presence made all the difference and made the Summit such a great success.

A special thanks to President Michael D. Higgins, the president of Ireland, who came and who stayed and who participated for three full days at the Summit.

You the participants made all the difference, by your very active participation.

With our eyes now fixed, and our determination now so strong, and with great resolve, we will feed Africa. For we came in response to a clarion call to do so.

We leave with a determination and a resolve to feed Africa.

When the history is written on how Africa finally fed itself, and achieved food self-sufficiency and food sovereignty, Dakar 2 would be remembered as where we got it done.

I would like to thank all who made this possible:

The highly dedicated officials from the government of Senegal.

The protocol staff who barely slept, meeting delegations around the clock.

The diligent staff of the Diamniadio International Conference Center.

The security services that secured our passages.

The great staff of the African Development Bank and the Team Senegal that worked day and night to ensure all was done for a successful Summit.

The technicians who made it possible to seamlessly function.

The translators who helped us understand each other in multiple languages.

The drivers who drove us, until very late at night.

The dispatch motorcycle riders who guided us safely through traffic.

The media who covered the event and will continue to do so.

And the excellent moderators helped us to speak from our hearts.

With hands together and in locked steps, we will reach our destination:

An Africa that finally feeds itself.

An Africa that develops with pride.

I wish you safe travels back home.

God bless you all.