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FAO Director-General QU Dongyu paid tribute to Ethiopia’s agrifood systems during a meeting with the country’s prime minister and while visiting several agricultural facilities on the margins of an African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa.

Qu was invited to address a High-Level Side Event on Friday at the 38th AU Summit, hosted by the King of Lesotho, His Majesty King Letsie III, on finding a common position on addressing malnutrition in Africa.

At the event, the Director-General told African leaders that “bold investments” are needed to achieve our collective vision for economic growth and development in Africa, a continent that continues to face unacceptably high levels of hunger and malnutrition.

Prior to the AU event, Qu met with H.E. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia. In this meeting, he reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to continue supporting Ethiopia and acknowledged the remarkable strides the country has made in transforming its agrifood systems and developing green cities.

During his stay, the Director-General also toured the Bole Lemi Industrial Park, the first of its kind in Ethiopia. Established in December 2014 as a public enterprise to advance the country’s industrialization, the park includes facilities for malt, leather, textile, and garment production.

Qu highlighted the park’s alignment with FAO’s One Country, One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative, which supports the production and consumption of teff, a staple food in Ethiopia. The Director-General also emphasized the importance of prioritizing partnerships with the private sector, noting that such collaborations enhance sustainability.

On Saturday, the Director-General visited the Friendship Park, the largest urban park in Addis Ababa. Also known as Sheger Park, this newly developed urban oasis in the heart of the capital spans over 1,000 acres. Qu noted that his visit underscores FAO’s commitment to strengthening collaborations with local entities, focusing on sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and fostering community connections.

In addition, the Director-General also visited a family-run farm in Addis Ababa that integrates various agricultural activities, including horticulture, beekeeping, fish farming, livestock fattening, biogas production, and dairy farming. This integrated approach enhances both the farm’s productivity, as well as promoting sustainability and resource efficiency. Such integrated farms provide the basis for Technical Assistance Projects aimed at supporting Capacity Building for Integrated Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture for Improved Food and Nutrition Security and Environmental Sustainability.

These projects focus on improving food safety, production and productivity, consumption, and the marketing of a variety of agricultural produce, as well as enhancing the capacity of Government Extension Agents. In Ethiopia, FAO also provides technical assistance for improving the dairy value chain, particularly for improving access to feed and food safety, which is a major challenge facing urban farmers in Ethiopia.

Source : FAO