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PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUJA #2149/01 3341455
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY ADXE326CA MSI8037 532A)
P 301455Z NOV 09 ZDS ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7600
INFO RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 2381
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0636
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUCLRFA/USDA WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASH DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE

UNCLAS ABUJA 002149 
 
C O R R E C T E D  C O P Y -  Tags and addressee 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF, DRL, INR/AA, S/CIEA 
DEPARTMENT PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/AA AND AFR/SD (HILL) 
USDA FOR FAS (PATRICIA SHEIKH) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR
SUBJECT:  COMMUNIQUE OF THE FIFTH CAADP PARTNERSHIP PLATFORM 
MEETING, NOVEMBER 9-10, 2009, ABUJA, NIGERIA 
 
¶1. SUMMARY: This cable is the communiqu from the 5th Comprehensive 
African Agriculture Development Program(CAADP) Partnership Platform 
(PP) Meeting, which took place on 9-10 November 2009 at the 
Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria to review progress and share 
experience of CAADP implementation since the last CAADP PP in 
Pretoria, South Africa in March 2009. The 5th CAADP PP was hosted by 
the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) and 
supported by the African Union Commission (AUC), the New Partnership 
for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Secretariat and the Global Donor 
Platform for Rural Development. The meeting was held just prior to 
ECOWAS's International Conference on Financing Regional Agricultural 
Policy in West Africa (ECOWAP/CAADP), which was also the occasion to 
sign the first regional Compact. 
 
¶2. The more than 150 participants included representatives of the 
African Union Commission (AUC), NEPAD Secretariat, Regional Economic 
Communities (RECs), Pillar Lead Institutions, other knowledge 
institutions, as well as Pan-African organizations and 
representatives of 20 development partners (DPs). Participants 
appreciated the contribution and effectiveness of ECOWAS for hosting 
the meeting.  The meeting examined the key outcomes and 
recommendations of the AUC, NEPAD, RECs and Pillar Lead Institutions 
Meeting of 5 and 6 November 2009, discussed issues of partner 
engagement and coordination, and identified priority areas of 
action.  END SUMMARY. 
 
------------ 
Key Messages 
------------- 
 
¶3. The meeting noted with satisfaction the progress made in CAADP 
implementation and especially the progress on 12 countries signing 
compacts in line with the resolve reaffirmed by the African Union 
Heads of State and Government at their July 2009 Summit in Sirte, 
Libya on the theme "Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and 
Food Security". 
 
¶4. The meeting recognized the marked improvement in the continental 
coordination of the CAADP implementation process by the AUC and the 
NEPAD Secretariat. 
 
¶5. The meeting welcomed the commitment by development partners to 
support countries that have signed and/or are about to sign CAADP 
compacts in mobilizing resources for program design and investment 
financing. 
 
¶6. The meeting appreciated the developments and momentum around 
agriculture and food security, the commitment by the G-8 and other 
stakeholders in L'Aquila in July 2009, the immediate follow-up by 
development partners in Addis Ababa and Washington, DC in September, 
as well as the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and the G-20 declarations 
around CAADP. The L'Aquila roadmap and the actions since July to 
advance Joint Statement have been informed by, and reinforce the 
support to, CAADP. 
 
¶7. The meeting noted with particular satisfaction, that the CAADP 
principles and values are adequately reflected in the following 
L'Aquila principles: 1) support country-led processes; 2) ensure 
comprehensive approach to food security; 3) strategically coordinate 
assistance; 4) support a strong role for multilateral institutions; 
and 5) sustain a robust commitment of financial resources (including 
Qand 5) sustain a robust commitment of financial resources (including 
the $20 billion in resources pledged at the G8 Summit). 
 
¶8. The meeting welcomed the partnership event held on September 26, 
2009 at the UN General Assembly, hosted by UN Secretary General Ban 
Ki-Moon and US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and the 
deliberations of the Committee on Food Security, which together 
highlighted the importance of CAADP as a model for food security 
programming and partnership development. The meeting expressed its 
hope that the same recognition afforded to CAADP will be reflected 
in the deliberations and outcomes of the World Summit on Food 
Security. 
 
¶9. The meeting took note of the forthcoming Conference of Parties 
(COP) 15 on climate change and deliberated on the effects on 
agriculture and food security in Africa and called for the 
completion and implementation of the continent-wide Climate Change 
Mitigation and Adaption Framework. 
 
----------------------- 
Implementation Progress 
----------------------- 
 
¶10. The meeting commended the progress made in CAADP implementation 
by Member States, RECs, and by the continental-level African 
institutions AUC, NEPAD Secretariat and Pillar Lead Institutions. 
The meeting, in particular, noted the signing of eleven (11) 
compacts since July 2009. 
 
¶11. The meeting commended the strong support by ECOWAS in conducting 
country round tables and signing nine (9) compacts as well as its 
pledge to achieve an additional four (4) out of six (6) remaining 
compacts by the end of the 2009. 
 
¶12. The meeting recognized the efforts being made by COMESA to 
accelerate the country round tables and signing of compacts in its 
remaining member states. The meeting specifically commended COMESA 
for the signed-up Compacts in Burundi and Ethiopia. The meeting also 
noted the initiatives being taken by SADC to accelerate CAADP 
implementation in its region. 
 
¶13. The meeting noted the significant progress made by the AUC and 
the NEPAD Secretariat in articulating clearer mechanisms for 
ensuring effective support by the Pillar Lead Institutions to the 
Country Round Table processes and development of regional Compacts. 
 
 
¶14. The meeting recognized that progress has been made by ReSAKSS, 
in collaboration with Pillar Lead Institutions, in developing a 
comprehensive M&E framework that also incorporates detailed 
budget-tracking methodology. The meeting also noted that the 
framework was presented and reviewed at the AU Conference of African 
Ministers' of Agriculture, Land and Livestock in April 2009. The 
meeting finally noted that the ReSAKSS was positively evaluated by 
an external team of consultants on behalf of Development Partners. 
The evaluation expressed the need for a more systematic link of 
ReSAKSS to CAADP. 
 
¶15. The meeting noted that a comprehensive review of the Interim 
Steering Committee (ISC) of the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) was 
completed. It welcomed the establishment of a new 
management arrangement - the Partnership Committee - consisting of 
seven (7) members representing, AUC (1), RECs (1), Pillar Lead 
Institutions (1), Farmers Organizations (1), Private Sector (1) and 
Development partners (2). The Partnership Committee also includes 
three observers:  NEPAD Secretariat (1), Global Donor Platform (1) 
and the World Bank (1). The NEPAD Secretariat will also be the PC 
Secreariat 
 
¶16. The meeting appreciated the role of the September 2009 Addis 
Ababa meeting and the resulting "Addis Consensus" in deepening the 
awareness about CAADP among in-country development partners and the 
wider international development community. In particular, the PP 
meeting duly recognized the efforts exerted to develop the 
"Guidelines for Donor Support to CAADP Process at a Country-Level" 
and their official endorsement in Abuja by the Development Partners 
and the African Union Commission. 
 
¶17. The meeting took note of the progress being made on CAADP 
implementation at country level and provided an opportunity to share 
lessons and experiences from the countries represented at the PP: 
Qlessons and experiences from the countries represented at the PP: 
Benin, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Togo and Uganda. The meeting specifically 
welcomed the invitation by Rwanda to a planned Post-Compact Joint 
Review on CAADP Investment Plan and Implementation scheduled for 7-8 
December 2009 in Kigali, Rwanda. 
 
-------------- 
Agreed Actions 
-------------- 
 
¶18. The meeting called on AUC-NEPAD to develop and implement a 
detailed roadmap and action plan for 2010 on post-compact support to 
countries and RECs, including a systematic and coherent coordination 
framework. 
 
¶19. The meeting called upon AU Member States to accelerate progress 
towards fulfilling their commitments to increase budget allocation 
to the agricultural sector to at least 10 percent. 
 
 
¶20. The meeting called for a combined effort by AUC-NEPAD and 
Development Partners to advance the implementation of the Guidelines 
for Donor Support to CAADP Process at a Country-Level. In 
particular, the meeting underlined the need to ensure that donor 
field offices are aware and make effective use of the guidelines in 
their engagement with the CAADP agenda and in aligning policy 
formulation and programs with the compacts. The meeting further 
encouraged Development Partners to review and report on the 
application of the guidelines as part of the mutual accountability 
reporting. The meeting also invited other DPs to endorse officially 
the use of the Guidelines by signing the Joint Statement that 12 DPs 
and AUC signed at the PP. 
 
¶21. In the same vein, AU member states are urged to make effective 
use of the guidelines and agreed donor coordination mechanisms at 
country level to further advance the CAADP implementation process. 
 
¶22. In the spirit of the inclusiveness of the CAADP process, AUC and 
the NEPAD Secretariat are called upon to devise and strengthen 
mechanisms to support the engagement of farmers' 
organizations, private sector associations, NGOs, and other civil 
society organizations with the CAADP agenda. 
 
¶23. The meeting called for the organization by ReSAKSS, in 
consultation with AUC-NEPAD, of a technical meeting by February 2010 
to validate the M&E framework and agree on an action plan for its 
operationalization, including a clear peer-review architecture at 
regional and country level. 
 
¶24. The meeting called for the first comprehensive M&E report to be 
completed by the next PP for review and refinement. The meetings 
tasked NEPAD Secretariat, working in collaboration with ReSAKSS, to 
operationalize the M & E framework and report on progress. 
 
¶25. To facilitate better coordination and link ReSAKSS more 
systematically to CAADP, the meeting called for the establishment of 
a ReSAKSS Steering Committee at continental level by AUC, working 
with NEPAD Secretariat, before the next CAADP PP. 
 
¶26. The meeting called for the establishment of a Peer Review Unit, 
with sufficient autonomy, to work with ReSAKSS and the national 
SAKSS nodes to lead the preparation of independent progress reports 
for the PP, APF, APRM and other continental and global fora. 
 
¶27. The meeting called for accelerated establishment and 
strengthening of country SAKSS nodes as described in the respective 
country round table documents and compacts, and in line with the AUC 
Roadmap on Policy and Knowledge Systems (PKS). 
 
¶28. The meeting called on the AUC to develop a detailed action plan 
by the next PP for the establishment within 3-5 years of Regional 
Policy and Knowledge Systems Platforms/entities to host and better 
coordinate current and future knowledge support activities under 
CAADP. 
 
¶29. Noting that the Pillar Lead Institutions have been provided a 
one-year interim mandate, the meeting called upon the newly 
established MDTF Partnership Committee to ensure speedy 
operationalization of the respective Child Trust Funds. 
 
¶30. Having reached a common understanding on the principles of 
Q30. Having reached a common understanding on the principles of 
Mutual Accountability Framework (MAF), the meeting called on the MAF 
Task Team to develop the Framework for review and endorsement by the 
next PP. As part of the framework, the meeting specifically called 
for an inventory of commitments made by the African Union and 
related institutions (RECs, Member States, and Pillar Institutions 
etc); Development Partners and the International Community on CAADP 
by the next PP. 
 
¶31. Noting that exploitation of regional complementarities is one of 
the core principles of CAADP and crucial to its success, the meeting 
urged Developments Partners to work closely with RECs and other 
pertinent stakeholders to develop, by the 6th PP, joint guidelines 
for a better coordination of CAADP support activities at regional 
level. The guidelines should build upon current experiences of 
partnerships under CAADP, including the guidelines for country-level 
donor support, the work on CAADP MAF and the regional compacts. 
 
¶32. In order to expedite the operation of the MDTF Partnership 
Committee (PC), the meeting urged the respective member institutions 
to designate their representatives, with the exception of the Pillar 
Lead Institutions, which are required to be represented by their 
Lead Person. 
 
¶33. Noting the call by the G-20 for the establishment, at the World 
Bank, of a Global Financing Mechanism for Food Security (Multi Donor 
Trust Fund), the meeting called for its proper alignment to CAADP's 
framework, structures, tools and streamlined procedures to ensure 
steady disbursement of funds to support the implementation of 
country compacts and investment plans. The meeting also called for 
the broadening of the CAADP Peer Review Mechanism and M&E system to 
monitor and report on the commitments and the use of the funds at 
country level in a transparent manner. 
 
¶34. Concerned that Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) budget 
ceilings may limit the necessary scaling up of funding to support 
the CAADP agenda in some countries, the meeting called on 
Development Partners, working either individually and/or through the 
Global Donor Platform, to initiate dialogue with the IMF and other 
relevant parties to support AUC's and its member states' efforts to 
ensure such ceilings do not constrain agricultural growth. 
 
¶35. The meeting called upon the AUC to finalize and validate the 
current draft Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Framework by 
the next PP. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
Organization and coordination of the CAADP PP 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶36. For a successful coordination of the PP meetings, the 5th CAADP 
PP entrusted the AUC with the establishment, before the end of 
November 2009, of a Joint Standing Committee to oversee the planning 
and organization of future PPs, including a broad and timely 
consultation on the agenda and decision points as well as following 
up on such decisions. This committee is expected to work closely 
with, and supported by, the MDTF Partnership Committee. The members 
of the Joint Standing Committee include four representatives from 
the African CAADP constituency: AUC (1), NEPAD Secretariat (1), RECs 
(1), and Pillar Lead Institutions (1), and up to three 
representatives (3) from the CAADP DP Task Team. 
 
¶37. The meeting, taking note of the invitation of a Southern African 
Development Community (SADC) member state to host the Sixth CAADP 
Partnership Platform meeting, recommended that the AUC explore the 
offer and determine the venue and time of the next PP meeting in 
good time. 
 
¶38.  This communiqu was compiled in Abuja 12 November 2009 by key 
representatives from the U.S., UNITED KINGDOM, and ECOWAS. 
 
¶39. (U) Embassy Abuja coordinated this telegram with ConGen Lagos. 
 
 
SANDERS