The 13th annual Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government took place in Sirte, Libya from June 24 to July 3, 2009 under the theme “Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security”.

Outcomes from the conference are now available online. One outcome from the summit was a call for a common African position on agriculture and a solid framework for food security. Two main topics of discussion included Africa’s response to climate change and its impacts on agriculture, along with potential partnerships within and outside of Africa for agricultural development.

Prior to the commencement of the summit, Mrs. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union encouraged the processing of agricultural products within Africa in order to create employment opportunities and an enhanced African integrated market. She also stressed that with greater regional integration come opportunities for trade specialization and spillovers of infrastructure development. Investing in agriculture therefore has a multiplier effect on other sectors, the commissioner stated.

More detailed information and press releases available from the African Union Commission website.