Press release
Minister Heydon addresses AU/EU Agriculture Ministers Conference
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon, today chaired a session on ‘Research and Innovation for smarter policies and technologies’ at the fifth African Union-European Union Agriculture Ministers Conference which took place in the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation headquarters in Rome.
The Conference, co-hosted by the Africa Union Commission and the European Commission brought Ministers from Africa and the EU together to discuss enhanced cooperation for resilient food systems and sustainable agri value chains.
In opening the session, Minister Heydon stated:
“Harnessing the potential of new technologies for enhanced food security and mitigation against climate change requires investments in research and innovation. If agriculture, forestry and rural areas are to become more productive, resilient and sustainable, those involved in research and innovation must work together to provide farmers, rural communities and policy makers with smarter policies and technologies.”
Minister Heydon subsequently reported the key messages of his session to the wider plenary session of the Conference, which was led by Josefa Sacko, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment; Janusz Wojciechowski, European Commissioner for Agriculture; and Qu Dongyu, Director General, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO); and was attended by Ministers of Agriculture from across Africa and Europe.
In preparation for an agri-food trade mission to West Africa in September 2023, Minister Heydon also held bi-lateral meetings with representatives from Nigeria and Senegal; and participated in a meeting with the FAO Director General.