31 January 2014: The Assembly of Heads and State and Government adopted a number of key decisions at the 22nd Annual African Union (AU) Summit, which took place under the theme ‘Agriculture and Food Security.’ The Assembly adopted decisions on, inter alia, the Common African Position on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, the 2050 Africa Integrated Maritime (AIM) Strategy plan, desertification, ending hunger, health, partnerships, peace and security, statistics and trade.

Speaking at the Summit, UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson described agriculture and food security as key to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He applauded the African Common Position’s focus on inclusive economic growth and structural transformation, and recognized the role of gender equality and women’s empowerment in realizing Africa’s agricultural potential and promoting sustainable development and social justice.

“There is no inclusive and sustainable way forward for Africa without women, youth and agriculture,” declared José Graziano da Silva, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO). UN Women’s Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, said agriculture offers Africa “an opportunity for economic prosperity, food security, poverty eradication, skills in science and technology and economic empowerment for women and girls.”

Women and girls from 14 countries convened a Young Women’s Forum on the Summit sidelines. The Forum outcome document, the ‘Future Young Women Want,’ outlines agriculture, climate justice, education, health, social and economic empowerment priorities for the post-2015 development framework and the AU’s Agenda for 2063. It recommends, inter alia, committing to women’s rights, gender equality and investment in young women and girls; and ensuring enforcement and implementation of policies and laws that protect and replenish natural resources and prevent land grabbing.

On the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCCD), the Assembly renewed its commitment to the Namibian Declaration to address Africa’s biodiversity loss, desertification, land degradation, and effects of drought and to promote sustainable development. It endorsed the establishment of an African working group on desertification and sustainable land management (SLM).

The Assembly pledged support for the AU’s African World Heritage Fund (AWHF), which aims to ensure sustainable management and conservation of world heritage sites in Africa and improve community livelihoods. Getachew Engida, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said “Africa hosts nearly half of all endangered sites.” He said poaching, unsustainable resource extraction, urban sprawl, and tourism threaten sites and their flora and fauna.

The Summit launched the 2014 African Year of Agriculture and Food Security. The African Year is being observed in parallel with the UN’s International Year of Family Farming and builds on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

The African Development Bank’s (AfDB) High Level Panel on Fragile States launched its report, ‘Ending Conflict and Building Peace in Africa: A Call to Action,’ following one year of consultations. The report recommends: launching an effective policy response to disruptive economic, environmental and social changes facing Africa, including on climate change, natural resource governance, poverty and inequalities, urbanization and youth employment; and creating resilient states and societies through multi-level partnerships and building interlocking institutions.

The Summit took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 21-31 January 2014. Several side events were held, including on water and sanitation. [AU Press Release] [FAO Press Release] [UN Women Press Release] [Young Women and Girls Statement] [AfDB Press Release] [Publication: Ending conflict and building peace in Africa: A call to action] [AU Press Release on World Heritage Sites] [AU Press Release on Water and Sanitation] [AU Press Release on Year Launch] [Statement of UN Deputy Secretary-General]