Morocco will host the French-speaking branch of the FAO Regional Leadership Academy, dedicated to transforming agri-food systems, according to a letter of intent signed in Meknes, on the sidelines of the 17th International Agricultural Exhibition of Morocco (SIAM).
The document was signed by Morocco's Minister of Agriculture, Ahmed El Bouari, and the FAO Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Abdulhakim El Waer.
The future academy will be hosted by the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute (IAV), a leading institution in agricultural training serving the African continent.
This strategic initiative is part of a regional effort to strengthen the skills of agricultural leaders around three priorities: climate adaptation, the integration of digital technologies, and the enhancement of institutional capacities.
Through this academy, the FAO aims to provide African decision-makers with innovative governance tools, focusing on co-creating solutions tailored to the realities of French-speaking African countries.
"This academy will contribute to the emergence of a new generation of young African agricultural leaders, trained to address the challenges of food security and sustainable development," said the Director of IAV, Abdelaziz El Hraiki.
The first initiative of this branch, called Youth Action Leadership for Agri-Food Awareness and Systems Transformation, will take place in Rabat from June 30 to July 4, 2025, with the participation of around 60 young people from various African countries, representing a dynamic and majority regional youth.
Launched in 2023, the FAO Regional Leadership Academy aims to support countries in the MENA region in reshaping their agri-food systems, making them more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.
