The African Forum on Food Systems (AFSF) is being held from September 1 to 5, 2025, in Dakar, Senegal, with Morocco among the participants. Organized under the theme «African Youth: The Vanguard of Collaboration, Innovation, and Transformation of Agri-Food Systems», the event is presented as a «strategic platform» to advance food security and climate resilience across the continent. According to Morocco's Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, the forum aims to «catalyze concrete actions, forge structuring partnerships, and ensure the follow-up of commitments made at the continental level». On the sidelines of the event, Minister Ahmed El Bouari met with Ted McKinney, CEO of the U.S. National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, who was accompanied by an American delegation. The talks «highlighted several priority areas for the future of bilateral cooperation» between Morocco and the United States, including «the development of agricultural trade, the establishment of a triangular partnership with Africa, and the promotion of American investments in Morocco». Both sides pledged to «strengthen existing cooperation and explore new prospects», particularly in areas such as animal and dairy production, sustainable water management, and the growth of high-value-added sectors. Through this forum, Morocco reaffirmed its commitment to the sustainable transformation of food systems in Africa, «by placing youth at the heart of agricultural development». This continental vision is consistent with Morocco's national and regional strategies, including Generation Green 2020–2030, the Initiative for the Adaptation of African Agriculture (AAA), and the Royal Initiative for the Atlantic, all of which aim to promote «sustainable, innovative, and resilient African agriculture». The event comes at a pivotal moment, showcasing «the continent's progress in transforming food systems, notably through the revival of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme».
