The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are uniting for a groundbreaking initiative to strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks around food security and the right to adequate food in Southern Africa.

At the heart of this collaboration is the SADC Parliamentary Alliance on Agrifood Systems, Food Security, and Nutrition, officially launched on 9 December 2024 in Livingstone, Zambia. This Alliance aims to address critical issues such as hunger, malnutrition, and the sustainability of agrifood systems in the region. The initiative is a milestone in enhancing parliamentary leadership, especially as Africa prepares to host the Global Parliamentary Summit against Hunger and Malnutrition in 2026.

This event marks the 20th anniversary of the Right to Food Guidelines. With funding from the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, FAO is leading capacity-building efforts under the project GCP/GLO/1287/GER-F: “Legislating for the Right to Adequate Food.” The focus is on equipping parliamentarians with the tools to advocate for and legislate on food security in line with Agenda 2063, CAADP, and Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger.

Programme Highlights

Days 1–2: Right to Food Training for SADC Parliamentarians

• Southern Africa's food security outlook

• Legal foundations of the right to food

• Framework laws and domestication of the Pan-African Parliament Model Law on Food Security and Nutrition

• Case studies, group strategy sessions, and a focus on traditional/native foods

Day 3: Inaugural Meeting of the Parliamentary Alliance

• Reflections from training

• Election of the Executive Committee

• Adoption of the Alliance Work Plan

• Launch of the SADC Parliamentary Membership Drive

• Vision-setting for national alliances and regional collaboration

Key Objectives

• Establish and operationalize the governance structure of the Alliance

• Approve a strategic work plan for regional action

• Equip lawmakers to legislate for the right to food and support sustainable agrifood systems

• Align SADC regional efforts with Africa-wide goals and the upcoming 2026 Global Parliamentary Summit

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Meeting ID: 829 1084 5520
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Let’s work together toward a food-secure Southern Africa, with laws and leadership that protect everyone’s right to food.