11/01/2025
STATEMENT BY HONORABLE JEREMIAH KPAN KOUNG, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA, AT THE AFRICAN UNION EXTRA-ORDINARY SUMMIT ON COMPREHENSIVE AFRICA AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES (CAADP)
Kampala, Uganda – January 9th–11th, 2025
Your Excellency Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and Chairperson of the African Union,
Your Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda,
Your Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission,
Distinguished Heads of State and Government, Ministers, Delegates, and Development Partners,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I bring you warm greetings from His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia.
President Boakai sends his regrets for being unable to join this important summit due to pressing national duties. He has asked me to express his strong support for this gathering and assure you of his participation in the February 2025 Assembly.
Let me first commend President Museveni for his leadership in hosting this Extra-Ordinary Summit and for the warm hospitality and courtesies accorded to our delegation.
I also want to extend our thanks and appreciation to H.E. Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and Chair of the African Union for the invitation to address this summit.
The theme of this summit could not be more important. Agriculture remains the backbone of our economies, and the challenges we face require immediate and united action.
Today, Africa stands at a crossroads. Hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity are threatening the well-being of millions.
The goals of the 2014 Malabo Declaration remain far from being achieved. Yet, we gather here with a renewed sense of hope and determination.
Liberia fully supports the CAADP Declaration, which outlines a bold vision to transform Africa's agri-food systems by 2035.
We believe agriculture will drive the next phase of development for Liberia and for Africa. With vast fertile lands and dedicated efforts, Africa can truly become the world’s breadbasket.
Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In Liberia, agriculture is central to our national development strategy. Under the ARREST Agenda—focused on Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism—we place agriculture at the top of our priorities.
Last year, President Boakai launched Liberia’s National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP 2024-2030). This plan aims to boost food security, create jobs, and combat poverty.
We also recognize the critical link between agriculture and nutrition. My office oversees the national Scaling-Up Nutrition (SUN) Secretariat, which is committed to fighting malnutrition and stunting.
Additionally, we have introduced a Multi-sectoral Action Plan on nutrition to align national and international efforts in this vital area.
CAADP provides a valuable framework for us to strengthen these initiatives.
We are committed to aligning our national policies with the goals of this summit.
Liberia is ready to play its part in addressing the challenges of food insecurity and transforming agriculture into a driver of growth.
We welcome and support the ten-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan and pledge our full commitment to the Draft Kampala CAADP Declaration.
Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
The decisions we make today are crucial. We must move from discussions to action. Let us invest in sustainable agriculture, empower our farmers, and ensure that no child goes to bed hungry.
Together, we can create a brighter future for all through agriculture.
I thank you.
