The Brussels Development Briefing n.40 on “Data: the next revolution for agriculture in ACP countries?” was held in Brussels on 18th February 2015 and brought together 155 participants representing ACP-EU policy makers, regional organizations, representatives of EU Member States, European Commission services, Members of the European Parliament, private sector, civil society groups, European research and development practitioners and international organizations.
All video recordings are now available in French and English.
The CTA Brussels News Service is providing EU-ACP policy news since 2004, on various key thematic areas. In addition to this news service, we also provide news on ACP intra-regional trade, and south-south cooperation (investments of emerging countries' in agriculture in the ACP regions). The main stories for the week are featured in our newsletter and all stories can be found in our Regional Trade and the South-South cooperation sections.
The new secretary general of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) nations, Dr Patrick Gomes, called for a “permanent forum” focused on particular needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The platform shall be a joint venture with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Gomes noted that within the ACP Group there were now 33 SIDS members as a bloc of states and the current challenges “for this unique inter-governmental organisation” (the ACP). He said that “a distinctive and defining feature of the current 2015-2020 administration (which he heads) and a critical challenge to engage energy and political savvy of the ACP Group as a whole must be the effective mechanism and modalities by which to participate in diversified partnerships across the Global South by 2020...”
Mr. Jean Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission said that the EU is not going to take part at the Crans Montana Forum on South-South Cooperation and Africa. The President of the European Commission received the personal invitation for the extraordinary meeting from His Majesty the King Mohammed VI of Morocco. The Forum aims to connect key government officials, international organizations and parliaments, representatives from banking and multiple other sectors interested in discussing socio-economic progress in Africa, with particular focus on South-South cooperation.
President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe is recorded to have recently said, “We don't need a white man to continue to guide us. No. We are now equipped with skills.” Mugabe’s government is analyzing the number of white farmers still active in the farming sector in Zimbabwe following the land seizures carried out under his government in 2000. His government is also considering to reduce current farm sizes owned by black beneficiaries to benefit upcoming generations of youths and encourage their entry into farming. The European Union recently gave Zimbabwe 234 million euros ($267 million) in aid. This is the first allocation of aid since imposing sanctions in 2002.