Concept note

II Brazil-Africa Dialogue on Food Security, Fight Against Hunger and Rural Development - May 20-22, 2025

Strengthening relations with African countries is a priority of Brazilian foreign policy implemented by the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. This stance reflects historical ties, shared values, converging interests, and a commitment to cooperation based on solidarity, mutual respect, and the promotion of social inclusion and sustainable development. In this spirit, the 2nd Brazil-Africa Dialogue on Food Security, Fight Against Hunger, and Rural Development will be held from May 20 to 22, 2025. The event will bring together official delegations from African countries, including Ministers of Agriculture, as well as representatives of international organizations, multilateral development banks, research institutions, family farming organizations and cooperatives, and private sector entities.

Following the success of the first edition held in 2010, this meeting will promote the exchange of knowledge and successful experiences, contributing to the strengthening of local food production. Through dialogue, whether in panels or in conversations during field visits, the event will provide opportunities to contribute to the strengthening of resilient, inclusive and healthy food systems in African countries. At the same time, the interaction will offer a privileged opportunity to reflect on Brazilian experiences considering the observations of the African delegations.

Preliminary Programming:

• Field Visits: Delegations will visit Embrapa units, cooperatives and production enterprises, with the aim of presenting, in a practical way, technologies and methods applied in Brazil to strengthen sustainable agriculture.

• Thematic Seminar: Held at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasília, the seminar will feature panels on:
  • Sustainable agri-food systems;
  • Research and innovation;
  • The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty;
  • The role of public policies;
  • Financing for rural development.

• High-Level Session: With the participation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the session will mark the closing of the event and culminate in the adoption of a joint final declaration.

• Bilateral Meetings: Meetings will be held between African delegations and Brazilian institutions, with a view to strengthening partnerships and expanding technical and institutional cooperation.

Among the main objectives of the II Brazil-Africa Dialogue, the following stand out:

-       Sharing experiences: Present successful practices in agricultural and aquaculture production developed in Brazil, with the potential to be adapted to the national contexts of African countries, based on themes and demands indicated by them.

-       Knowledge and technology exchange: Promote the exchange of relevant solutions for agricultural development and food and nutritional security in African countries.

-       Effective public policies: Discuss the role of successful policies in combating hunger and poverty, highlighting programs such as the Food Acquisition Program (PAA) and the National School Feeding Program (PNAE).

-       Research and innovation: Discuss the contribution of research, development and innovation to the transformation of agri-food systems.

-       Family farming and sustainability: Value the crucial role of family farming in generating income and promoting sustainable food systems that are resilient to climate change and provide diversified food for healthy and affordable diets.

-       Technical cooperation: Identify new opportunities for cooperation between Brazil and African countries, with a focus on rural development and food and nutritional security.

-       Financing and investments: Explore financing alternatives and foster partnerships and investments in the agricultural sector.

-       Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty: Present the objectives of the Alliance and identify ways to increase the engagement of African countries in the initiative.

The event is expected to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Brazil and African countries, promoting the sharing of knowledge and technologies that can be adapted to different African contexts, based on successful Brazilian experiences. In addition, the meeting should encourage the identification of sustainable opportunities for partnerships and investments in the agricultural sector and promote debate on effective public policies to combat hunger and poverty, as well as to promote food and nutritional security.