African agriculture ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to making agricultural adaptation a central pillar of food sovereignty during a high-level meeting in Meknes on April 22, 2026.
The sixth Ministerial Conference of the African Agriculture Adaptation (AAA) Initiative, held alongside the International Agricultural Show in Morocco (SIAM), brought together representatives from thirteen countries to celebrate the initiative’s tenth anniversary. Chaired by Moroccan Minister Ahmed El Bouari and attended by Saudi Princess Sarah Bint Bandar Bin Abdulaziz, the conference addressed the intensifying climate change impacts that continue to threaten the continent’s agricultural systems.
A central theme of the discussions was the urgent need to integrate adaptation strategies into comprehensive public policies rather than relying on isolated, ad hoc interventions. Ministers emphasized that Africa’s food security and economic stability are now inextricably linked to the resilience of its farming systems. However, a significant financial gap persists, as the estimated $61 billion required annually for adaptation remains largely unmet by current funding levels. This shortfall continues to stall the implementation of large-scale technical solutions despite a decade of regional cooperation.
To address these challenges, the participants supported the creation of a new strategic framework titled “Ten Years of the AAA Initiative: Assessment and Vision 2036,” developed in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The session concluded with the adoption of the Meknes Declaration, which formally establishes agricultural adaptation as a top-tier strategic priority for the continent. This unified position will serve as the foundation for a common African stance at major upcoming international forums, including the September 2026 summit in Rome and COP31 in Antalya later this year.
MK/AK/Sf/fss/abj/APA