By: Kassahun Chanie
The Sixth Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (ARDWE) is taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from October 21st to 24th, 2025, at the African Union Commission (AUC).
The gathering marks a crucial transition as the Malabo CAADP Agenda (2014-2025) concludes and the Kampala CAADP Agenda (2026-2035) prepares to take its place.
This ARDWE session aims to review key policy and operational documents related to agriculture, rural development, water, and the environment. The findings will be compiled into recommendations and submitted to the AU Executive Council for endorsement at the February 2026 Summit of Heads of State and Government.
During the occasion, in his remarks, Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment at the African Union (AU), emphasized the urgency of the situation. "We need to significantly increase intra-African agricultural production to 45% to ensure our people are fed and our economies are strong," he stated.
Commissioner Vilakati added that the new agenda will prioritize technological advancements, climate-smart agriculture practices, and investments in infrastructure to unlock the continent's vast agricultural potential.
The meetings consist of an Experts and Senior Official Session from October 21st to 22nd, followed by a High-Level Ministerial Session on October 24th, all taking place at the African Union Commission headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
"The main objective of the meeting is to review and recommend key policy and operational documents related to agriculture, rural development, water, and environment to the Executive Council,” the advisory stated.
The goal is to consider ongoing programs, approve new projects, harmonize programs, and set an AU position for the 2026 Summit.
The Sixth STC ARDWE addresses the implementation of recommendations of the 5th STC-ARDWE.
Participants reviewed ongoing programs linked to past decisions and also focused on approving new programs and projects within the areas of Agriculture, rural development, water, and environment.
The AUC also detailed the session’s objective of identifying program harmonization in light of existing resource challenges.
This ensures the continent is on track to meet previously agreed-upon goals and declarations, according to the session.
The timing of the meeting is particularly significant, as it coincides with a change in AUC leadership. "The session is auspicious, as it is the first under the new AUC leadership and so provides the platform to familiarize and update on implementation progress of the department’s activities," the session underscored.
Attendees include experts from member states representing sectors related to agriculture, livestock, fisheries, rural development, water and sanitation, environment, natural resources management, meteorology, climate change, disaster risk management, and the blue economy.
The ARDWE committee was established by the African Union in 2009 and is composed of ministers or senior officials responsible for areas related to agriculture. The ministers are responsible for the approval, supervision, and evaluation of projects submitted by experts, it was learned.
It was also known that African Union ministers will convene this month to chart a new course for the continent's agricultural future, building upon the legacy of the Malabo Declaration and addressing emerging challenges.
