G-8/African Leaders Launch New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition

President Jakaya Kikwete, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, 
Ghana's President John Atta Millls and President Yayi Boni of Benin, 
chairman of the African Union as the first African leaders 
to attend a G-8 summit at Camp David in Maryland, USA

18 May 2012. The G-8 and African leaders have committed to create a New Alliance for Food Security, with the goal of increasing responsible domestic and foreign private investments, making innovations to enhance productivity at scale, and supporting activities that eradicate hunger and poverty in Africa. 

The New Alliance represents a shared commitment to raise 50 million people out of poverty in the next decade by aligning commitments of Africa's leadership, the private sector, and the G-8. Central features of the New Alliance will be realizing the promise of L'Aquila, launching partnerships, mobilizing private capital, reducing and managing risk, improving nutritional outcomes and reducing child stunting, ensuring accountability for results, and taking innovations to scale. The initial countries participating in the New Alliance will be Ethiopia, Ghana and Tanzania.

Straight Talk Africa on May 23, 2012. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture shares her thoughts with Straight Talk Africa host Shaka Ssali on how leaders of the eight industrialized nations of the G8 and African nations gathered to address the acute food security agenda as the $20 billion pledge is about to expire from the 2009 L'Aquila, Italy meeting.

[Fact Sheet on New Alliance] [IFAD Press Release] [FAO Press Release]


Related:

3^rd ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM ON GLOBAL AGRICULTURE 
AND FOOD SECURITYAdvancing Food and Nutrition Security at the 2012 G8 SummitMay 18, 2012 | 7:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center
Washington, D.C.

On the eve of the 2012 G8 Summit, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs brought together senior global leaders to discuss new G8 efforts on food security and the opportunity and benefits of private sector investment in African agriculture and food sectors. Sessions identified ways business, civil society, and international organizations could complement and amplify G8 action on agricultural research and innovation, markets and trade, and nutrition.  President Barack Obama, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, His Excellency Professor John Evans Atta Mills, His Excellency Jakaya Kikwete, His Excellency Dr. Boni Yayi, His Excellency Meles Zenawi, Bono, and other dignitaries addressed over 700 attendees.

Session on AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION: Getting to scale

Moderator:
Dr. Eleni Gabre-Madhin, chief executive officer, Ethiopian Commodity Exchange

Discussants:
Mr. Dyborn Chibonga, chief executive officer, National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi
Ms. Janet Chigabatia-Adama, Savanna Farmers Marketing Company
Mr. Hugh Grant, chairman, president, and chief executive officer, Monasanto Company
Mr. Jeff Simmons, senior vice president, Eli Lilly and Company; president, Elanco Animal Health
Mr. Jack Sinclair, executive vice president, Grocery Merchandise, Walmart
Mr. Sam Dryden, director, Agricultural Development, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation