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Morocco Proposes International Fund to Boost Africa’s Food Security

08:20
Morocco Proposes International Fund to Boost Africa’s Food Security
By: Dakir Madiha
Zoom

At the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa, Morocco presented a bold initiative to create an international fund aimed at strengthening food security across Africa. The proposed fund, unveiled by Ahmed El Bouari, Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, is envisioned as a collaborative tool to enhance the continent’s food sovereignty and unlock its agricultural potential.

A call for collective action

Speaking during a high-level ministerial roundtable under the theme “Managing Transitions Towards Just, Resilient, Sustainable, and Inclusive Food Systems,” El Bouari emphasized the importance of long-term, united approaches to address food insecurity. He argued that fragmented national strategies are insufficient to meet the scale of Africa’s challenges, advocating instead for shared expertise, innovation, and co-financed solutions.

Morocco’s proposal aligns with global and regional frameworks, including the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. El Bouari underscored the need for transforming food systems to ensure equitable access, resilience, and sustainability across the continent.

Morocco’s proactive approach

The minister highlighted Morocco’s achievements under the “Generation Green 2020–2030” strategy, which prioritizes sustainable agriculture, human capital development, and water resilience. Key initiatives include:

- Implementing intersectoral governance models to transform food systems.

- Improving irrigation efficiency and investing in desalination projects to combat water scarcity.

- Launching social protection programs to guarantee access to healthy food.

These efforts, El Bouari noted, demonstrate Morocco’s commitment to building a robust agricultural model that can serve as a blueprint for other African nations.

Advancing South–South cooperation

Morocco’s commitment to Africa’s agricultural future is rooted in the Royal Vision for effective South–South cooperation. The country plays a leading role in initiatives such as the Adaptation of African Agriculture Initiative (AAA), which promotes climate resilience, and the Triple S Initiative (Sustainability, Stability, and Security in Africa), designed to foster sustainable food systems.

El Bouari reaffirmed Morocco’s readiness to support African nations in their agricultural transitions through regional and multilateral platforms, emphasizing the importance of collective action in achieving food security.

UNFSS+4: A platform for global solutions

The UNFSS+4 summit builds on the momentum of the 2021 Food Systems Summit and its 2023 review, providing a stage to evaluate progress, share successful practices, and identify gaps in global food systems transformation. The event brought together stakeholders from various sectors to co-develop innovative, climate-resilient, and inclusive solutions, reinforcing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Morocco’s advocacy for a collaborative fund at this global forum solidifies its position as a leading voice in Africa’s food security efforts, championing a vision of shared growth, resilience, and sustainability.



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