ADDIS ABABA, Oct 29 (NNN-ECA) -- African countries attending the Sixth Session of the Committee on Food Security and Sustainable Development (CFSSD-6) have elected South Africa as the Chair of its Bureau and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the First Chair for 2009/2010.

They also elected Morocco (Second Vice Chair), Gambia (Third Vice Chair) and Mauritius (Rapporteur) at the meeting which serves as the Regional Implementation Meeting for the 18th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-18).

The sixth session which starts on Tuesday focuses on sustainable consumption and production for sustainable growth and poverty reduction.

The session serves as the platform for the Africa Regional Implementation Meeting (RIM) for the Eighteenth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-18) which will center on transport, chemicals, waste management, mining and sustainable consumption and production, including a Ten-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production.

The Committee was established in April 2007 by the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and is composed of high level experts from governments, academia, research and development institutions, the private sector and civil society of African countries.

In a welcoming remark, the Director of ECA’s Food Security and Sustainable Development, Josue Dione, said ECA’s had significantly implemented its 2008-2009 work programme, especially with regards to land policy, agricultural development, food security and the challenges of climate change.

He called on the Committee to review the implementation of the 2008-2009 work programme of ECA and give guidance on the Commission’s work during the 2010-2011 biennium.

In an address, the African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Ms. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, called on the Committee to address the various challenges Africa is facing, including droughts, desertification and floods, which, she said, recently killed many people and ravaged homes and communities in many parts of West Africa.

She said there was ample evidence to suggest that an estimated 30 per cent of Africa’s coastal infrastructure and settlement will be flooded if the current trends in global warming is not checked.

Her statement was read by Dr. James Mbata, a senior official of the African Union Commission.

Declaring the meeting open, the State Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Mitiku Kassa, said the major challenge of food security in Africa remains the underdeveloped agricultural sector characterized by over reliance on rain-fed agriculture, low fertility of soils, minimal use of farm inputs, environmental degradation and reduced access to markets.

He said African countries should respond to the continent’s food insecurity by improving agricultural productivity, facilitating market access, building coping mechanisms and designing and implementing proper food security programmes. -- NNN-ECA