12 January 2009. Lusaka, Zambia. The meeting was organized to discuss implementation of CAADP in the COMESA region. It included representatives from COMESA, FARA, NEPAD and the World Bank.
The meeting first discussed how CAADP is being implemented in the COMESA region and how COMESA countries are participating in FARA region-wide initiatives. Discussion then focused on the World Bank’s proposed schedule for the completion of the East African Agricultural Productivity Programme and the World Bank-CAADP Trust Fund. The Trust Fund is expected to support the following initiatives with the COMESA region: a) completion of the regional compact; b) fast tracking of the CAADP round table process in the region; c) engagement of a Pillar IV focal person at the COMESA office; d) provision of support for Pillar IV coordination meetings; and e) development of a long-term work plan for CAADP implementation in the COMESA region.
The meeting then discussed future evaluations of the CAADP agricultural agenda to determine how much progress has been made on key targets such as the proposed 10% budget allocation by governments to agriculture and the 6% agricultural growth rate.
FARA, NEPAD, the World Bank and COMESA then called on the Honorable Minister of Agriculture responsible for Livestock to brief him on FARA-CAADP related issues. Each member of the visiting delegation took turns briefing the Minister on CAADP Pillar IV implementation in the COMESA region.
