Latest news with #SouthSouthCooperation
Zawya
11-07-2025
- Science
- Zawya
Homegrown innovation leads Africa's agrifood transformation
African-led science and innovation are at the heart of efforts to transform agrifood systems across the continent. That was the central message of a dedicated side event held during the Regional Policy Dialogue on Strengthening South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) in Africa, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and hosted by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania. The special side event, Scaling Science and Innovation for Resilient Agrifood Systems: African Solutions through South-South and Triangular Cooperation, took place on the second day of the Dialogue and comes in the lead-up to the Science and Innovation Forum during the FAO World Food Forum in October. It brought together African experts, researchers, and policymakers to explore how homegrown innovations can drive agrifood systems transformation across the continent. Opening the session, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa Abebe Haile-Gabriel underlined the power of science and innovation in transforming agrifood systems in Africa. He urged countries to scale up successful practices through strengthened partnerships and better policy alignment. 'Africa stands today at a defining moment. Our agrifood systems face immense pressure from intensifying climate change, growing scarcity of land and water, frequent pest and disease outbreaks, and persistent post-harvest losses that undermine productivity and incomes. Yet, amidst these challenges, a new generation of African scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators is reimagining agriculture, its business model, mechanisms of knowledge sharing, and scaling up technologies,' he said. In the keynote address, Professor Anthony Egeru of the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) highlighted Africa's untapped potential in homegrown scientific knowledge and innovation. He called for stronger collaboration among African research institutions, noting that intra-African cooperation in science remains limited and must be strengthened to support agrifood system transformation and reduce the continent's growing food import bill. Two expert panels followed. The first highlighted scalable technologies already benefiting smallholder farmers. The second explored how science-policy partnerships can create enabling environments for innovation uptake. Among the innovation champions featured was Innovative Solutions for Decision Agriculture (ISDA), a pan-African company pioneering digital agricultural tools. Their flagship product, the Virtual Agronomist, is a WhatsApp-based AI chatbot that provides farmers with instant, tailored advice on soil health and fertiliser use. The company has already seen a 60 percent yield increase among farmers who use the tool, and their goal is to reach 10 million farmers over the next five years with this context-specific, science-backed guidance. FAO also showcased its innovation in plant protection through the eLocust3, a real-time data transmission tool used by national locust officers to monitor and control desert locust outbreaks. The tool feeds directly into FAO's global Desert Locust Information Service, which supports early warning and coordinated response systems across affected countries. Young innovator Joseph Kawaya from Rwanda (pictured) also presented his work. Initially focused on manufacturing solar-adapted chicken incubators, his business now supports rural cooperatives through a franchised network of hatching stations. 'We're not just selling machines, we're building rural systems that tackle both malnutrition and lack of access to poultry production,' he said. FAO South-South Cooperation Officer Peter Anaadumba underscored the importance of enabling environments to support innovation. He stressed that innovators must be supported by strong policy frameworks, sustained financial commitments, and partnerships. South-South and Triangular cooperation, he noted, offers a platform for exchange, but results will only follow when national systems are ready to absorb and scale innovation. The event reinforced FAO's commitment to advancing African-led solutions and fostering cross-country learning, setting the stage for deeper engagement at the upcoming Science and Innovation Forum later this year. Science and innovation are central themes in the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–2031, which aims to support countries in transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.
Zawya
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Africa: Countries unite to scale up South-South cooperation for agrifood systems transformation
A regional event on strengthening South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) in Africa opened today with a call for greater collaboration to unlock shared benefits. Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and hosted by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, the two-day event has brought together government ministers, technical experts, private sector leaders and development partners to promote more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems in Africa through South-South and Triangular Cooperation. South-South Cooperation is the exchange of resources, technology, and knowledge between developing countries in the Global South, while Triangular Cooperation involves a third party, often a resource partner or multilateral organization, that facilitates or supports these exchanges. Together, SSTC provides an innovative model to accelerate progress on agrifood systems transformation. A strategic moment for collaboration As FAO marks its 80th anniversary, the Regional Policy Dialogue on Strengthening South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) for Agrifood System Transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa offers a timely opportunity to advance partnerships that deliver concrete results at scale. Speaking at the opening session, Stephen Justice Nindi, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture of the United Republic of Tanzania, highlighted the value of African-led solutions and inter-regional collaboration. 'It is my great pleasure and honour to welcome all of you,' he said. 'Accelerating sustainable food systems and agricultural transformation is a top priority for the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.' FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa Abebe Haile-Gabriel highlighted FAO's long role in South-South Cooperation. 'This dialogue is especially meaningful as FAO marks its 80th anniversary this year. SSTC is an expression of the solidarity and shared responsibility that FAO was founded upon.' He then shared three priorities to guide SSTC work: 'One, SSTC needs to be embedded directly into national plans, budgets, and policies to ensure it is a core strategy, not a side project. Two, we must look beyond traditional donors to the private sector, academia, and farmer organizations to bring new energy and resources. And three, we should rigorously measure our results to prove their value and secure future investment.' Director of FAO's SSTC Division Anping Ye highlighted that FAO Member Nations hold the solutions to many of the challenges the world faces, and FAO's role is to support countries to work together. 'It is the goal and the responsibility of the FAO South-South and Triangular Cooperation team to provide qualified or high-quality services to our member countries,' he said. A powerful solution in uncertain times The dialogue focuses on six key priorities: strengthening institutional coordination to consolidate SSTC policy frameworks and mobilise resources; promoting scalable innovations in agriculture through cross-country collaboration; enhancing climate resilience and food systems through SSTC mechanisms; facilitating multi-regional partnerships across Africa, Asia and Latin America; aligning SSTC with national strategies and FAO's Country Programming Frameworks; and formulating practical roadmaps to support the institutionalisation of SSTC and improved inter-ministerial collaboration. Day one features country case studies and panel discussions on institutionalising SSTC in national and regional frameworks, including models from Uganda, Sierra Leone and The Gambia. Financing strategies and partnership models are also under discussion, including the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme, which has directly benefited over 100,000 people so far. Day two will focus on aligning SSTC with national plans, technology transfer and action planning. Breakout groups will work on monitoring, evaluation, and roadmaps for scaling up SSTC efforts within country frameworks. Expected outcomes include concrete policy recommendations, strengthened country partnerships, and commitments to follow-up actions such as the creation of inter-ministerial platforms or joint initiatives. FAO's strong track record in Africa Sub-Saharan Africa is the region where nearly 80 percent of FAO's SSTC efforts have taken place. Through partnerships with countries including Brazil, China, Morocco, Venezuela and Viet Nam, FAO has helped transfer knowledge, tools and technologies tailored to African priorities. Examples include the deployment of over 290 Chinese experts and 200 scalable technologies in Africa through the FAO-China Trust Fund; technology and knowledge sharing from Viet Nam, supported by Spain, to boost Namibia's aquaculture sector; Brazil's successful school meals model adapted in countries such as Senegal and Ethiopia; Moroccan technical support that helped Guinea and Eswatini improve agricultural monitoring and investment planning; and Venezuela-funded rice systems development projects that improved rice production in 10 African countries including Guinea and Nigeria. These projects demonstrate how SSTC can drive productivity, support smallholder farmers, and strengthen national institutions. As the Dialogue continues, FAO and its partners remain committed to expanding SSTC as a key mechanism for achieving sustainable development and resilient agrifood systems in Africa. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.
South China Morning Post
08-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Through Brics, Indonesia offers its vision of inclusivity to the world
At the 17th Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, some countries – particularly Russia, China and India – arrived wielding formidable influence. With nuclear capabilities, expansive infrastructure and veto power in multilateral bodies, they shape global narratives and push national agendas. Their role in the Brics grouping is that of a core capable of challenging norms and institutions. Advertisement Indonesia , by contrast, does not bring hard power. We are neither a nuclear state nor a technological giant. But Indonesia offers something different as a democratic, non-aligned and populous nation in Southeast Asia. Our unique posture allows influence through moral authority and diplomatic leadership rooted in balance and dialogue. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto brings an approach rooted in soft power, bridge-building and inclusive diplomacy. Bearing the legacy of the Bandung Conference and Non-Aligned Movement , Indonesia presents itself as a connector between the Global North and South. In advocating South-South cooperation and a fairer international order, Indonesia shows power lies not only in weapons or markets, but also in fostering mutual understanding and collaboration. Indonesia backed its message with 77 priority national projects – including in renewable energy, port development and other infrastructure – for potential financing through the New Development Bank (NDB). Indonesia's Brics engagement aims for real development, not just diplomatic symbolism. These projects reflect a national agenda rooted in sustainability and impact-making. Simultaneously, Indonesia is advancing its gold bullion banks and strengthening its sovereign wealth fund – steps towards financial independence and greater economic resilience. Beyond fiscal tools, these are strategic efforts to reduce dependence on external markets and enhance domestic capacity. Advertisement The leaders' summit declaration aligns with Indonesia's core priorities. Brics called for reforming the UN Security Council and global financial institutions to better represent developing countries, and promoted the expanded use of local currencies, aiming to reduce reliance on the US dollar.
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Kenya: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)-China South-South Cooperation High-level Meeting Held in Nairobi
On July 4, the high-level meeting of the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Project was held at the Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. Attendees included Mr. Jiang Wensheng, Vice Minister of China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Ms. Tipo, FAO Representative in Kenya ad interim; Dr. Ronoh, Principal Secretary of Kenya's State Department for Agricultural Development; and Ms. Guo Haiyan, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya. The meeting focused on deepening agricultural South-South cooperation, enhancing food security, addressing climate change, and promoting rural development. China has been supporting Kenya for integrated fall armyworm control and low-carbon tea value chain through the FAO SSC/SSTC framework with promising results. The three parties expressed their commitment to further cooperation in promoting Chinese technologies and experience in developing countries to enhance agricultural productivity, facilitate poverty reduction and rural development, and address climate change. The Kenyan side welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in agricultural sector in Kenya and hopes that China provide trade facilitation for Kenyan agricultural exports to its vast market. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Kenya.
Russia Today
07-07-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Partnership with Russia ‘resilient and steadfast'- Indian finance minister
New Delhi's strategic partnership with Moscow remains 'resilient and steadfast,' Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Sunday. The minister's comments came after a meeting with her Russian counterpart, Anton Siluanov on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro. 'The Union Finance Minister observed that India and Russia enjoy exemplary levels of mutual trust and understanding and our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership remains resilient and steadfast,' the Indian Finance Ministry said in a post on X. During the talks with Siluanov in Rio, Sitharaman also expressed gratitude for the support extended by Russian President Vladimir Putin to India after the April terror attack in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 lives. Sitharaman also congratulated Russia for its successful chairmanship of BRICS in 2024 and said that India would continue to leverage the multilateral platform to build South-South cooperation in areas of common interest. The finance ministers discussed modalities of various initiatives recently taken up by BRICS members, Sitharaman said in her post on X. Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman met H.E. Mr. Anton Siluanov, Finance Minister of Russia, on the sidelines of the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting #BRICSFMCBG, in Rio de Janeiro, two leaders discussed… The two sides also reviewed cooperation in the financial sector, along with matters related to the New Development Bank (NDB). The NDB was founded by BRICS in 2015 to address the needs of developing countries that, according to its members, are not equally represented in the international financial architecture. The Rio BRICS summit concluded with a joint declaration that criticized unilateral tariff actions and condemned 'indiscriminate' trade measures, without directly mentioning the United States. A few hours later, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on any country which 'aligns itself' with BRICS, accusing the grouping of adopting 'anti-American policies.' New Delhi's long-standing ties with Moscow have irked Washington. In June, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said India's relations with Russia are a point of contention in its relationship with the US.
