**CONFERENCE DATES TO BE RESCHEDULED**

Washington Court Hotel

525 New Jersey Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20001

 

 

Since 2000, the pace of agricultural development has picked up in sub-Saharan Africa. African governments have shown leadership in prioritizing agriculture through the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP); donors have developed bold new initiatives to support these African-led CAADP investment plans, including Feed the Future and the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program; the private sector has shown increasing interest in investing in Africa's agriculture and agro-processing; and regional collaboration on trade and infrastructure has expanded. Together, these processes and initiatives have laid the foundation for another decade of progress. Still, much remains to be done to pick up the pace of agricultural development in Africa. Investments in infrastructure, technologies to increase productivity, regional and global trade linkages, connections between Africa’s cities and farmers in the hinterland, and greater rates of growth in the agriculture sector—leading youth to engage in agriculture rather than look off-farm for better opportunities—are all needed to accelerate Africa’s agricultural development.
 
The Partnership's 2012 US-Africa Forum, “Picking Up the Pace: Accelerating Africa’s Food, Farming and Agribusiness Development,” will focus on the challenges and opportunities associated with speeding Africa’s agricultural development in response to perceived future needs.  When it started its work ten years ago, the Partnership believed that it was essential for US and African public, private, and civil sector organizations to devote greater attention to the challenges of poverty, hunger, and agricultural growth in Africa. Much has been achieved. It is now time to look toward the next decade—with the same urgency that was expressed a decade ago, but with greater focus on action and a raised set of expectations about how to translate improvements in food, farming, and agribusiness into more jobs, higher income and better livelihood for more people in Africa.
 
As in the past, we will strive to give voice to diverse perspectives from African, US, and multilateral partners.  The Forum will feature a mix of keynote speakers, plenary presentations, and guided breakout group discussions that will drive toward the identification of practical recommendations for action.

 

Registration:

• Space is limited; Partnership supporting members receive priority registration - join the Partnership today to ensure your space at the conference!
• General registration will be opening shortly. Please join the Partnership mailing list to receive updates.

Cost:

• There is no cost associated with attendance, but registration must be completed and your space officially confirmed before you can be admitted to the Forum.
• Unfortunately, the Partnership is unable to cover travel or other expenses of general participants. Click here for area hotel information.