From 17-19 November 2015, the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the Food Security Information Network (FSIN), a partner initiative between FAO, WFP and IFPRI, held a technical consultation themed “Food and Nutrition Security and Resilience Analysis: Are we effectively using the right data?,” in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The objective of the Consultation was to launch a process leading to development of a framework to strengthen national food security and nutrition information systems and statistical capacities, to enhance evidence-based decision making and policy monitoring in the region.

In his concluding remarks at the closure of the Consultation, Mr. Laila Lokosang, CAADP Advisor for Food and Nutrition Security, representing AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, H.E Tumusiime Rhoda Peace underscored that the African Leadership had already made firm commitments on issues of improving Africa’s capacity for generating data and information to facilitate evidence-based policy development and tracking of progress of implementation of planned activities.

“The onus is, therefore, on all of us, working together as experts, to ensure that such commitments are followed through,” he said.

Over 80 technical experts, practitioners and decision makers from regional and national institutions, UN agencies, academia, NGOs and the private sector participated and contributed to the discussions around the following topics: food and nutrition security analysis; resilience analysis; data governance and institutional capacities and innovative means to collect and use data.

Strong participation from AU Member States ensured that country level needs provided the basis for the expected framework. Participants worked on a concrete set of recommendations that shall be taken forward. The Technical Consultation concluded with firm recommendations for action by AU Commission, FSIN and Member States. A principal recommendation is for AUC to lead a process for developing a framework for improving food and nutrition security information systems, data analysis and access.

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FSIN-AUC Technical Consultation

Background

The conference was structured around four thematic panels, each guided by a background paper written by recognized topical experts, including the chairs of the FSIN Measuring Food and Nutrition Security and Resilience Measurement TWGs. In this way, the recent technical outputs of the FSIN were shared with a large number of policymakers and practitioners.

Panel topics and related discussion papers were the following:

1. Food and Nutrition Security Analysis: Data availability, access and analysis;

2. Resilience Analysis: Data availability, access and analysis;

3. Data governance and institutional capacities;

4. Filling the gaps by exploiting innovation around data production, data collection and data sharing

The Consultation had a strong focus on the conditions required for promoting and strengthening the institutional culture of evidence-based decision-making, particularly through enhanced and more conducive institutional frameworks that recognize the importance of rigorous data collection and effective utilization of processed information.

The expected outcome is to develop a framework for strengthening national food security and nutrition information systems and statistical capacities in support of evidence-based decision-making and monitoring.