Press release
Minister Coveney welcomes the establishment of the IARDC and the appointment of Mr Tom Arnold
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Today, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Charlie McConalogue TD, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs (DFA), Simon Coveney TD, announced the first step in the implementation of key recommendations from the National Task Team on Rural Africa’s (NTTRA) Report with the establishment of the Ireland Africa Rural Development Committee (IARDC).
The IARDC will be responsible for the ensuring the implementation, accountability and resourcing of the NTTRA Report’s recommendations and will seek to strengthen the coordination of Ireland’s existing contribution to the transformation of Africa’s agriculture and rural economy. The IARDC will comprise representatives from both departments, as well as the relevant State Agencies, the private sector, academia and the African community in Ireland.
Minister McConalogue said:
"I welcome the Report of the National Task Team for Rural Africa. The report recommendations will deliver a coherent national response that harnesses the capacity and expertise of all stakeholders within the Irish agri-food sector in its future partnership with Africa.
"Agriculture is the backbone of rural food security and livelihoods. This report will lead to a more effective Irish contribution to the development of sustainable food systems in Africa which are critical in reducing hunger and improving nutrition and health. Importantly, it will also provide a framework for stronger agri-business linkages between Ireland and Africa, including a focus on supporting female entrepeneurs."
The two Ministers have today also announced the appointment of Mr Tom Arnold as the Government of Ireland’s Special Envoy on Food Systems.
Mr Arnold’s role as Special Envoy will be to communicate Ireland’s position and policy priorities in the run-up to UN Food Systems Summit and to engage with a broad range of key actors and stakeholders within the global food systems network, for the purpose of communicating Ireland’s support and promotion a sustainable food systems approach.
In addition to his role as Special Envoy, Mr Arnold is also a member of the UN Food System Summit’s Champions Group and has recently been appointed by the European Commission to chair a new High Level Expert Group (HLEG) whose mandate is to assess the needs, options, impacts and possible approach for an International Platform for Food Systems Science (IPFSS).
Mr Arnold has also served as the Chair of the European Commission’s Task Force for Rural Africa and as the Chair of Ireland’s National Task Team on Rural Africa.
Speaking in relation to Mr Arnold’s appointment, Minister Coveney said:
"I am delighted to announce Tom as the government’s Special Envoy on Food Systems. He has played a pivotal role across a range of key Food Systems events and processes, both domestically and internationally.
"Tom’s extensive knowledge of food and agriculture policy and his unparalleled experience as a facilitator and leader will allow him to share and promote Ireland’s experiences and ambitions in terms of agricultural development, agri-food innovation, food safety practices, sustainable farming and food production, and public-private partnerships."