For the first time, the Paris Peace Forum is being held outside France and in Africa. Among the notable agreements signed is one between AFD and INNOVX, aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture across the continent.
Paris Peace Forum : First for Morocco
Founded in 2018, the Paris Peace Forum serves as an open platform for advancing global governance solutions. It is designed for those seeking to foster dialogue, establish normative frameworks, and build political commitment to address geopolitical challenges. The 2024 edition of the forum is particularly notable for its focus on sustainable agriculture. Centered around the theme « Just Transitions », the event gathers government officials, high dignitaries, and key figures from the private sector.
Not a random choice of venue
The Spring 2024 session of the Paris Peace Forum, held in partnership with Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique (UM6P), will take place on June 10 in Benguérir, Morocco. Justin Vaïsse, Managing Director of the Forum, highlights that this venue and collaboration with UM6P underscore a strong commitment to North-South cooperation.
Hosting the event in Morocco emphasizes Africa’s vital role in just transitions. UM6P President Hicham El Habti asserts that sustainable transitions are essential for ensuring inclusive development across Africa and globally. Addressing issues such as climate financing, African agriculture, nutrition, and global health equity is crucial for navigating the geopolitical and economic challenges marked by inflation.
Major commitments resulting from the 2024 edition
By participating in the Forum’s General Governance Assembly, UM6P is dedicated to providing actionable solutions and facilitating constructive dialogue during the event. Similarly, AFD Group reaffirms its collaboration with the Cherifian Kingdom to promote an equitable and inclusive transition across Africa.
AFD signs memoranda of understanding
With a view to supporting food security in Africa, AFD has signed two major partnership agreements with the OCP Group (Office Chérifien des Phosphates):
- Framework agreement with INNOVX to innovate agricultural systems and promote sustainable value chains on the continent
- Agreement between UM6P and the AFD Group Campus in Marseille concerning the creation of a joint training program for young professionals in the field of agriculture in Africa.
The French agency also participated in the Atlas Laboratory launch roundtable, a platform for policy dialogue and North-South collaboration spearheaded by OCP Group to support transitions in Africa’s agri-food systems. This involvement aligns with the 2022-2026 strategy of the French development agency in Morocco, which focuses on collective action and co-investment in economic, cultural, and solidarity-based initiatives.
Tripartite partnership to promote sustainable agriculture
A key highlight of the Spring session of the Paris Peace Forum was the signing of a strategic memorandum of understanding between AFD, PROPARCO, and INNOVX. This tripartite partnership aims to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by enhancing cooperation and mobilizing stakeholders around strategic projects in Africa. The initiative focuses on addressing the continent’s food security challenges through the sustainable development of its agricultural potential by 2050.
AgriFinance platform program
This framework agreement is part of the AgriFinance platform, launched by INNOVX in October 2023 with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and OCP Group. The initiative includes vocational training to enhance skills, create sustainable jobs, and boost incomes for farming communities.
AgriFinance also supports small-scale farmers in Africa and aims to distribute value equitably among agri-food stakeholders on the continent. The goal is to mobilize USD 800 million by 2030 through various financial instruments, including loans, grants, guarantees, and equity investments. The platform plans to offer technical and financial support for 60 incubation and financing projects.
