OPENING REMARKS
BY
H.E. AMB. JOSEFA SACKO
COMMISSIONER FOR AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, BLUE ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT
DELIVERED ON THE OCCASION OF CONFERENCE ON LAND POLICY IN AFRICA 2023
AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION HEADQUATERS, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
21st NOVEMBER 2023
Salutation
- Honorable Judith Nabakooba Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Uganda
- Honorable Angela Thokozile Didiza, Minister for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, South Africa
- Representative from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
- Mr. Antonio Pedro, Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
- Representative from the African Development Bank
- H.E. Hans Henric Lundquist, Ambassador of Sweden to Ethiopia and Djibouti and Special Representative to the African Union and IGAD
- Mr. Alaïna Yacoub Possey, the Secretary General, Ministère de l'Aménagement du territoire, de l'habitat et de l'urbanisme, Chad
- Mr. Mamudou Manjang, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs (MLRG&RA), The Gambia
- Our Extinguished Traditional Authorities from different parts of the continent
- Vice Chancellors and Deputy Vice Chancellors of Universities represented
- Representatives of Cooperating Partners
- Ladies and Gentlemen
Distinguished delegates, esteemed colleagues, and honored guests,
On behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, I am profoundly delighted to welcome you all to this pivotal conference on land policy in Africa, under the theme "Promoting Sustainable Land Governance in Africa for Accelerated Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area." As we gather here today, it is indeed a momentous occasion as we embark on a crucial dialogue that will shape the sustainable development and prosperity of our continent.
Reflecting on the progress made since our last conference, it is evident that there have been significant strides in advancing land policies across the African Union Member States. Two years ago, we convened to address the challenges impeding sustainable land governance, and I am pleased to report that there has been a noticeable momentum in the implementation of policies aimed at fostering sustainable land administration practices. The commitment and collective effort from all stakeholders have contributed to the formulation and enforcement of policies that seek to promote equitable access to land, protect land rights, and ensure the sustainable utilization of land resources.
One significant area of progress pertains to the advancement of women's land rights, in alignment with the African Union's agenda on land. The commitment to securing women’s land rights has gained significant attention and has translated into concrete actions across various Member States. Commendable efforts have been made in Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea and Malawi to assess women’s rights to land in policies and laws and take action to address gaps identified. Through targeted policy interventions, legal reforms, and awareness campaigns, we have witnessed tangible progress in elevating the status of women as key stakeholders in land governance. The African Land Policy Centre (ALPC) has started the process of developing the Continental Strategy for integrating Gender within national land sectors and I hope that deliberations during this conference will contribute to this process.
In tandem with our progress on women's land rights, we continue to address the dynamics of large-scale land-based investments in Africa. The increasing interest from domestic and foreign investors in acquiring large tracts of land has prompted concerted efforts to ensure that such investments align with principles of responsible agricultural investment and respect the land rights of local communities and smallholder farmers. It is imperative that these investments contribute to sustainable development, poverty reduction, and inclusive growth, while safeguarding the rights of all land users.
Moreover, in light of the pressing global challenge of climate change, our recent endeavors have been directed towards integrating climate-resilient land management practices into our policy frameworks. Climate change poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity, natural resource management, and the overall stability of rural livelihoods. Hence, our efforts have focused on fostering adaptive land governance strategies that mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change and bolster the resilience of our agricultural systems. This is being achieved by many ways including promoting land use policies and practices that contribute to mitigating climate change challenges we are experiencing on the continent.
As we gather here to deliberate on the role of sustainable land governance in accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), it is paramount that we recognize the intrinsic link between land policies and regional economic integration. The AfCFTA presents a transformative opportunity for intra-African trade, industrialization, and economic growth, and coherent land governance is fundamental to realizing its full potential. Encouraging secure land tenure, facilitating access to land for productive activities, and harmonizing land administration systems will underpin the success of the AfCFTA and foster inclusive development across the continent. The AfCFTA stands as a monumental endeavor, offering unparalleled opportunities for economic growth, integration, and prosperity across the African continent.
Furthermore, as we deliberate on the strategic imperatives of sustainable land governance, it is imperative that we proactively design and implement gender-responsive initiatives that bolster the capacity and agency of women farmers, agripreneurs, and pastoralists. By ensuring equitable access to land resources, markets, and support services, we can create an enabling environment that amplifies the contributions and innovations of women in driving agricultural productivity, rural development, and economic prosperity.
Distinguished delegates, esteemed colleagues, and honored guests,
As I conclude, I would like to urge all stakeholders present to engage in constructive dialogue, share best practices, and collectively chart a course towards sustainable land governance. The decisions and commitments made during this conference will reverberate beyond our gathering and have a profound impact on the livelihoods of millions of Africans. Let us seize this opportunity to forge partnerships, leverage innovative approaches, and advance the shared vision of sustainable land governance that will propel Africa towards a future of prosperity and abundance for all.
Finally, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our partners who have contributed to the organization of this conference including the Swedish Embassy, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the GIZ, International Development Law Organization (IDLO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Land Coalition, Habitat for Humanity and others that I may have not mentioned.
I thank you and wish you fruitful deliberation and outcomes.