This seminar organised by the Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC/OECD) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) , with the common goal of improving Sahel and West African regional integration.
Description
In the seminar, participants will explore the issues of food insecurity in the Sahel and West Africa focusing on the interconnected challenges of conflict, climate change and economic instability. The sessions will examine the impact of armed conflict and political instability on food production and access, highlighting the role of intra-regional trade in strengthening food security and fostering regional integration. Participants will gain insights from a forthcoming report on intra-regional food trade, exploring its realities, opportunities and the misalignment between perceptions and actual trade patterns. Additionally, the seminar will discuss evolving food and nutrition security dynamics, addressing policy responses and the humanitarian-development-peace Nexus approach as a solution to hunger and conflict in the region.
Objective
This seminar aims to highlight and share views on regional challenges by discussing challenges that affect the region, including food insecurity, trade, and armed conflict, and explore how these can ve addressed collectively by regional and international actors. It also aims to improve awareness by sharing data and evidence, tools, and best practices to foster dialogue and networks to improve food crises prevention, management and food systems policies in the Sahel and West Africa. As well as promote innovative solutions and approaches by stimulating the adoption of integrated appraoaches, such as the humanitarian-development-peace Nexus, to effectively tackle the multi- dimensional crises in the Sahel and West Africa and promote sustainable development and regional stability.
Audience
The forum will bring together approximately 70-100 participants. Invitees include ministers, senior government officials, senior civil servants, development agencies, and civil society.