Side Event at AU-EU Senior Officials Meeting of the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation
The role of EU-AU R&I strategies in contributing to Africa’s food future - Insights from the CEA-FIRST and AfriFOODlinks projects
Date & Time: 21 October 2025 9:00-17:00 CET
Venue: University Foundation, Room Félicien Cattier (Rue d'Egmont 11 - 1000 Brussel)
Format: Hybrid
Organisers: CEA-FIRST & AfriFOODlinks Projects
Overview
During the AU–EU Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) week, the CEA-FIRST and AfriFOODlinks projects will co-host a one-day event exploring how AU-EU cooperation can strengthen evidence-based policymaking. The event will build on the joint AU–EU commitment to advancing food and nutrition security, sustainable agriculture, and the transition toward a renewed FNSSA Roadmap (2027-2036).
The AfriFOODlinks Policy Dialogue will shift the focus to urban innovation, showcasing how African-led, context-specific research and co-creation processes - such as Living Labs and multi-stakeholder platforms - can drive food systems transformation. By highlighting African cities as hotspots for innovation and governance reform, the dialogue will explore how EU-AU R&I policies can better support cities as engines of inclusive, citizen-centered change.
The IRC Functional Working Groups (FWG) Co-Creation Session will bring together IRC members, AU–EU policy actors, and funders to validate and refine the IRC FWG Strategy and Operational Plan as a delivery mechanism for the FNSSA Roadmap. This strategic discussion will ensure the AU-EU International Research Consortium on Food Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture responds to stakeholder needs, aligns with AU and EU priorities (Agenda 2063, EU Green Deal, CAADP Kampala Strategy, STISA 2034, and SDGs), and secures commitments for the IRC pilot phase under CEA-FIRST.
The day will conclude with the 2nd CEA-FIRST Policy Forum, a high-level discussion bridging research evidence and policy-making to enhance coordination, visibility, and investment impact across AU–EU FNSSA collaboration. Through panels and open dialogue, it will explore opportunities for reducing fragmentation, improving funding coordination, and strengthening the AU–EU International Research Consortium (IRC) as a sustainable platform for food system transformation.
Contact persons
Irene Annor-Frempong (FARA) ifrempong@faraafrica.org
Antti Autio (University of Helsinki) antti.j.autio@helsinki.fi
Sithembile Mwamakamba (FANRPAN) smwamakamba@fanrpan.org
Arielle Bindi (ICLEI) arielle.bindi@iclei.org
Peter Defranceschi (ICLEI) peter.defranceschi@iclei.org
To register for the joint events, please fill the form below latest by 13th October 2025 for in-person participation. Online registration will be open until 20th October 2025.