AfDB, Libian govt discuss strategy to bolster Food Security in Libya
The African Development Bank has restated its support for the Libyan Government’s agenda to boost food security and build resilience in the North African country.
Malinne Blomberg, the Bank’s Deputy Director General for Northern Africa, gave the assurance during a coordination meeting on the Food Security Agenda in Libya.
“Food security is a prerequisite for economic development, social stability, and the overall well-being of the population,” she said, adding that the bank was working with other development partners to ensure the strategy succeeds.
The Bank hosted the meeting to deepen dialogue with the Libyan Government on key priorities, including agriculture. It formed part of the bank’s engagements in response to global challenges and building on the outcomes of the January Dakar 2 Summit on Food Sovereignty and Resilience in Africa.
The Libyan delegation was headed by Dr. Mahmoud El Futaisi, Director General of the National Economic and Social Development Board, who is also responsible for preparing the national food security strategy. There were delegates from the Food and Agriculture Organization, World Food Programme, United Nations Children’s Fund, the Islamic Development Bank Group, and the World Bank.
The African Development Bank has rolled out a $1.5 billion African Emergency Food Production Facility to boost food security and nutrition.
Launched in May last year, the facility is helping Africa mitigate rising food prices and inflation, worsened by climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, and Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Bank also co-organized a food summit in January in Dakar, Senegal, which produced food compacts for African countries.
Do you have a compelling story to tell? Contact us via our email: espinewsng@gmail.com or call/WhatsApp on 08032519246
