SIKHUPHE: His Majesty King Mswati III has travelled to Rome, Italy on the first leg of a three nation tour that will take him to Serbia and conclude with Samoa.
In Rome His Majesty will join world leaders at the World Food Forum (WFF). The Forum is the annual flagship event of the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) from 14 to 18 October.
The meeting brings together world experts, impassioned changemakers and visionary leaders of all ages around the theme: “Good food for all, for today and tomorrow”.
The theme recognizes that everyone on the planet needs good food, yet the agrifood systems that provide food are under increasing pressure to meet the requirements of growing populations.
Estimates from the Eswatini Income and Expenditure Survey (2017) shows that while the Kingdom has made progress in economic growth and sustainability since 2010, about 29 percent of the population are facing severe acute food insecurity.
World leaders are meeting at a time of concern as globally, countries are off track to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, Zero Hunger. Instead of reaching this goal, it is estimated that over 590 million people around the globe will still suffer from hunger, jeopardizing the achievement of the entire 2030 Agenda.
At the same time, our planet faces multiple crises that are directly linked to agrifood systems, including climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, soil degradation and others.
Since these issues need urgent action today for the agrifood systems of today and of tomorrow, the summit will include perspectives from the youth.
“Youth, who will inherit these challenges, must be placed at the forefront when it comes to finding solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing our agrifood systems. As innovators and advocates, they are strategically positioned as drivers and agents of change, advancing education, technology, science and policy. Their willingness to take risks and embrace new ideas is crucial for improving food security and achieving the transformation of our agrifood systems.
Food issues require funding and investment. Accordingly, the summit will also create a forum for national authorities to present investment opportunities to investors, multilateral development banks, the private sector and donors, with a focus on investment potential on national agriculture and food value chain investment opportunities.
His Majesty who is accompanied by Liphovela LaZuma and several ministers, will proceed on a state visit to Serbia before attending the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa on the 25–26 October 2024.
CHOGM which is the centre of the former British Commonwealth, brings together delegations from 56 nations from Africa, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. It seeks to reinforce multilateral cooperation, explore new opportunities, and tackle common challenges for the well-being of future generations.
Jm/today/13.10.2024
