The project consists of several components which are all geared towards contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and The Agenda 2030. The event, a multi-stakeholder dialogue attracted different stakeholders and partners in a move to make a successful one.
Minister Fabureh underscored the importance of project, saying it would significantly increase access to land, financing and other productive recourses for women and youth.
She explained that the term ‘Food Systems’ refers to the constellation of activities involved in producing, processing, transporting and consuming food.
Minister Fabureh noted that the project would also increase efficiency and effectiveness for the health delivery system, while also creating avenue to sustainably exploit the country's resource-base and double food production.
"I presented the National Pathway at the Pre-summit of the United Nations Food Systems Dialogues Summit in Rome Italy on the 27th July 2021 and synthesizing team is currently putting together the pathways of all the member states for the summit in September of this year".
The agric minister noted that a feedback after summarising the outcomes of the dialogues has been completed and shared with the food Summit's organising team and that the African common position paper has been developed and shared with the African Union Development Agency of AUDA-NEPAD.
Salimatta E.T. Touray, Deputy Permanent Secretary and Head of Civil Service, explained that a snapshot of achievements registered under the SDGs tells them that many of the 17 SDGs will remain unattainable.
However, she maintained that the food systems Summit must be seen as a turning point in the world's journey to achieving lasting change.
While congratulating the Ministry of Agriculture, DPS Touray also thanked the curator, consultants and all the stakeholders for the sterling work invested in the exercise.
Also speaking, Solange Heise, FAO Nutrition and Food Systems Officer outlined that the strategic National Pathway Document that has been reviewed and adopted is a milestone in the preparation ahead of the 2021 Global UN food systems Summit to be held in September 2021 in New York.
“In the strategic National Pathway Document, the Government of The Gambia highlights specific and deliberate policy decisions to sustainably develop the national food systems of The Gambia.
The FAO Nutrition Officer reminded the convergence that the UN country team is pleased with the outcome of the National Food Systems Dialogue and thanked the Minister and the advisory committee and the technical working groups and all actors that made the endeavor a success.
