We are live, set and ready for the Regional High Level #PolicyDialogue by SEATINI UGANDA, Econews Africa & the East African Trade Network. 🎥✊🏾 As we spend the day reassesing the impacts of EU #TradePolicies on African Agricultural Trade, we invite you to join the conversation❗️

🗣️🇰🇪| Given the shifting global & regional context, it is imperative to pursue a #holistic & #intersectional approach to trade policies. One that concurrently addresses environmental, social & economic sustainability, while also safeguarding Africa’s development priorities.

🗣️| As we think about the future of EU-Africa Trade Relations, it is essential to frame them around reciprocity & shared prosperity. We should focus our attention on elements like financing💸, knowledge transfer📖 & regional integration🔗 as pillars for #sustainabledevelopment.

🗣️🇰🇪| To strengthen Africa’s position across agricultural value chains, there is a pressing need to develop continental standards that enhance #equity, promote sustainability, and position African producers as equal players in global markets. Do you agree❓👇🏾

Two key questions raised by stakeholders at the Regional High-Level #PolicyDialogue; 1️⃣ How can Africa dream & act collectively, beyond confines of agreements & signatures? 2️⃣ What will it truly take for Africa to develop its own standards that safeguard all stakeholders?

🗣️| The pandemic underscored the importance of diversifying #valuechains as a strategy to strengthen both resilience & long-term sustainability. Diversification isn’t only about expanding #marketaccess, but also reducing ovedependence on a few commodities or export destinations.

🗣️| Deliberation Highlights from the First Panel Session at the Regional High-Level #PolicyDialogue hosted by SEATINI UGANDA & Econews Africa. 💡#Theme: Assessing the Implications of EU Directives on African Agricultural Value Chains Read more 👇🏾

Jalang'o Odari TradeMark Africa Africa Int'I Trade International Trade Centre (ITC) Trade Kenya AU-Economic Dev't,Trade,Tourism Industry &Minerals Min of Trade |Rwanda Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) Seed Savers Network Laikipia Farmers' Association African farmers face rising #operationalcosts under new EU #sustainabilityrules. Weak infrastructure & limited tech (e.g,geolocation for coffee under EUDR) deepen risks of inclusion. With multinationals dominating #valuechains, smallholders struggle on an unequal #playingfield.

Jalang'o Odari TradeMark Africa Africa Int'I Trade International Trade Centre (ITC) Trade Kenya AU-Economic Dev't,Trade,Tourism Industry &Minerals Min of Trade |Rwanda Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) Seed Savers Network Laikipia Farmers' Association National Farmers Union SEATINI UGANDA Initiative For African Trade and Prosperity IATP Europe The EU regulations are complicated & burdensome for smallholder farmers, unlike #largescale ones who can afford compliance. African countries can’t quit the EU market but must seek #practicalsolutions and synergies to remain competitive while safeguarding #smallholderfarmers.

🗣️| Highlights from the Second Panel at the Regional High-Level #PolicyDialogue 💡Session Theme: ‘From Challenges to Strategic Responses & Policy Design: Charting a Roadmap for Equitable EU-Africa Trade Relations.”🌱 Moderated by: Herbert Kafeero ✊🏾 Read more 👇🏾

East Africa Law Society(EALS) EACSOF Secretariat SADC Secretariat ECOWAS Parliament African Union TradeMark Africa World Trade Institute (WTI) Third World Network Brot für die Welt Denmark in Kenya 🗣️ | Uganda’s 🇺🇬 longstanding tradition of community-driven initiative shows that when local communities take collective responsibility, significant progress can be achieved in environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture & broader development projects.

East Africa Law Society(EALS) EACSOF Secretariat SADC Secretariat ECOWAS Parliament African Union TradeMark Africa World Trade Institute (WTI) Third World Network Brot für die Welt Denmark in Kenya SEATINI UGANDA Jane Nalunga, Executive Director @SEATINIUGANDA Buganda Cultural & Development Foundation(BUCADEF) Zimbabwe Council of Churches ZIMCODD OECD Tax AGRA - Sustainably Growing Africa’s Food Systems. GAIN 🗣️| Awareness must go beyond regional forums to national & grassroots levels, with active media engagement to ensure all stakeholders are informed. Additionally, Africa 🌍 must define its own position and narrative before entering any kind of negotiations.

It’s a wrap for the Regional High-Level #PolicyDialogue hosted by SEATINI UGANDA & Econews Africa under the umbrella of the East African Trade Network ✊🏾❗️ Join us as we continue to advance #transformative, #equitable, & #sustainable policy solutions for inclusive development.

Project Kick-Off & Stakeholder Roundtable Alert❗️ Econews Africa & the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) & with funding from Sida, are working together to strengthen the integration of human rights in trade & investment processes in Kenya🇰🇪. Stay tuned for more updates.

The project dubbed, ‘Embedding #HumanRights Assessment in #TradePolicy Making’ The #HumanRights Assessment will map the Kenya/UAE CEPA Provisions against Kenya’s constitutional & international #humanrights obligations,➕identify potential #humanrights risks & opportunities.