The Alliance at the 17th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) 2026
The 17th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS), taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, on 29–30 October 2026, will bring together key stakeholders to advance sustainable water management, resilient agrifood systems, nutrition security and inclusive prosperity in Africa.
The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT will connect science, policy and practice, highlighting how climate-related stresses affect food systems and diets. Its participation will advance the Resilient Futures communication priority and support implementation of the Kampala CAADP Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2035.
Our involvement
October 29, 2026
Side event - Beyond the farm: Drought, heat and food supply chain disruption
Henri Rueff
Director, Climate Action and Principal Scientist
Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg
Managing Director, Africa, and Trustee, Bioversity International USA
Christine Chege
Agri-Nutrition and Food Systems Scientist
Eileen Bogweh Nchanji
Gender and Social Inclusion ExpertThe session, held under the ADFNS theme “Harnessing Sustainable Water for Resilient Agrifood Systems, Nutrition Security and Inclusive Prosperity in Africa,” will explore how drought, extreme heat and water shortages affect food systems from production to consumption and identify practical solutions to safeguard food and nutrition security.
The event will feature a market-vendor video testimony, evidence-based presentations, a moderated panel, open discussion and live poll to generate recommendations supporting implementation of the Kampala CAADP Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2035.
Agenda
|
Time |
Session / Activity |
Speakers / Facilitators |
|
14:00–14:15 |
Opening segment |
Moderator: Dr Henri Rueff, Research Director, Climate Action, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT |
|
14:15–14:18 |
Video testimony |
Recorded video |
|
14:18–14:58 |
Lightning talks |
Moderator: Dr Henri Rueff |
|
14:18–14:23 |
1. Anticipatory action and food system resilience: the Kenya case |
Ms Farayi Zimudzi, Representative in Kenya, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) |
|
14:23–14:28 |
2. Research evidence |
Dr Christine Chege, Senior Scientist and Global Thematic Lead, Market Systems for Healthy Diets, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT |
|
14:28–14:33 |
3. Gender and social inclusion |
Dr Eileen Bogweh Nchanji, Gender and Social Inclusion Expert, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT |
|
14:33–14:38 |
4. Forests, water catchments and food systems |
Ms Susan Moywaywa, Deputy Director, Forest Conservation and Management, State Department for Forestry, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Kenya |
|
14:38–14:43 |
5. Drought and food system management |
Ms Melanie Thurber, Disaster and Humanitarian Advisor, US Embassy in Nairobi |
|
14:43–14:48 |
6. Food safety and nutritious food markets |
Ms Ruth Okowa, Country Director, Kenya, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) |
|
14:48–14:58 |
7. Financing and partnerships |
Mehrdad Ehsani, Vice President, Regenerative School Meals, The Rockefeller Foundation |
|
14:58–15:15 |
Panel discussion |
Moderator: Dr Henri Rueff, with all panellists |
|
15:15–15:40 |
Open discussion |
Moderator: Dr Henri Rueff, with all participants |
|
15:40–15:55 |
Synthesis |
Moderator: Dr Henri Rueff |
|
15:55–16:00 |
Closing remarks |
Dr Nana Yaa Boakyewaa Amoah, Director for Gender, Youth and Inclusiveness, AGRA |
