“It is an honor and privilege to welcome you all to this important Summit. I would like to begin by extending my heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of Uganda for their warm hospitality and for hosting us in this vibrant and beautiful Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort. I am eternally grateful to His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda for agreeing to host this summit when we met with him last year. His generosity and commitment to advancing Africa’s agrifood systems are deeply appreciated.
I am grateful to the H. E. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia who is the CAADP Champion and H.E. Girma Amente, Minister of Agriculture of Ethiopia for steering the CAADP process.
I also want to recognize the exceptional leadership of my boss, His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, whose vision and dedication continue to guide our collective efforts. Furthermore, I would like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the AU Specialized Technical Committee, particularly its Chair, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, whose guidance has been instrumental in shaping the objectives of this Summit as well as my staff led by Director Dr Godfrey Bahiigwa and the coordinator of the post-Malabo process Dr Hamady Diop who worked painstakingly with all our major stakeholders including Akademiya2023 and Policy Link to ensure that the two documents before us the new 10-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035) and the Kampala Declaration are inclusive and fit for purpose.”