The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) welcomes the celebration of Africa Day on May 25, a symbol of African unity and the importance of this continent globally.
“This year, the African Union has set the theme for marking Africa Day “Strengthening resilience in nutrition and food security on the African continent: strengthening agri-food, health and social protection systems to accelerate the development of human, social and economic capital.” The chosen theme emphasizes the centrality of food security for the resilience and development, to its full potential, of the African continent, being at the same time particularly relevant for the management of current issues for the whole humanity,” shows a release issued on Wednesday by the MAE.
On the occasion of Africa Day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates its call for solidarity, cooperation and coordination, which must be taken by the entire international community and all UN member states to ensure global food security and thus respect universal human rights.
“Romania appreciates that the theme chosen by the African Union for 2022 is all the more important in the context of the illegal, unjustified and unprovoked aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, which has complex consequences, including from the perspective of food security, for many states in various regions. Many of these are close partners of Romania and the European Union. Impeding Ukraine’s agricultural exports by blocking or completely destroying their ports, or the impossibility of agricultural activities in the face of open military conflict, are just a few examples of how the war started by the Russian Federation outlines ad a major threat to food security of Middle East, Africa and Asia countries,” the quoted source said.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Bogdan Aurescu stressed the need to coagulate and streamline multilateral efforts to coordinate the international response to the widespread effects of the war in Ukraine, including in the field of food security, on the occasion of the Ministerial Meeting “Global Food Security Call to Action”, as well as in the debate on “Maintaining International Peace and Security – Conflict and Food Security”, events organized by the USA at the UN headquarters in New York.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes the importance of addressing with priority the difficulties related to food insecurity and finding coordinated international solutions. The MAE also notes the importance of the connection between ensuring the flow of food systems and progress in the field of climate protection, financing for development and other priorities included in the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Romania’s multidimensional actions in support of Ukraine and of agricultural produce importing states aim, on the one hand, to support the Ukrainian economy and facilitate Ukrainian grain exports, and, on the other hand, to limit the effects of the global food crisis, including those affecting African states. Romania’s Government, together with its domestic economic partners, is constantly looking for all possible solutions to ensure the transit through Romania of grains and other Ukrainian products to third countries. The Romanian authorities are facilitating transit through the ports of Galati (on the Danube) and Constanta (the largest port at the Black Sea). In recent weeks, in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Constanta has become one of the main gateways for transporting Ukrainian grain to third markets. To date, over 240,000 tonnes of grains were exported from Ukraine through the Port of Constanta. Through these complex steps, Romania remains a firm contributor to global food security,” the release said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes the key role that agriculture can play in developing Europe-Africa cooperation, as discussed by European and African leaders at the 6th EU-AU Summit in Brussels (17-18 February 2022).
“Romania can share enhanced expertise in the fields of animal husbandry, phytosanitary, land improvement or sustainable use of pesticides. Supporting the development of the agricultural system through innovative methods, including the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), is an opportunity for both Africa and Europe, to deepen bi-regional trade, to promote investment and to achieve economic integration conducive to sustainable development and social inclusion,” the MAE said.
Africa Day is celebrated annually on May 25 and marks the date on which the Organization of African Unity, the forerunner of the current African Union, was founded in 1963.
The African Union annually establishes a theme of continental interest under which to organize events to celebrate Africa Day, Agerpres informs.
