© 2019 AU-IBAR. Member States receive ICT infrastructure to facilitate data capture and analysis on Animal Generic Resources.AU-IBAR has empowered Member States by strengthening Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure for data capture and analysis to promote evidence based decision making. A donation of US$ 36,000.00 worth of computer equipment, each set comprising an HP laptop, monitor, docking station, wireless keyboard, mouse, and bag has been made to 31 African Union Member States. The ICT equipment was handed over to Directors of Animal Production who were in Kenya attending a meeting. The equipment is for use by officers in the Departments responsible for animal resources. The donation is part of activities of an AU-IBAR project “Strengthening the Capacity of African Countries to Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation of African Animal Genetic Resources” (2013-2019) popularly known as the Genetics Project that recently ended and was funded by the European Union.

The main objective of the project was to facilitate and fast track the implementation of the Global Plan of Action (GPA) for sustainable use of AnGR in Africa for which the continent is lagging behind. The project also focused on building capacity of Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) for effective formulation and implementation of policies and strategies for the management of AnGR and created awareness for its inclusion into national and regional agricultural investment priorities. One of the key Result Areas of the Genetics Project focussed on generating and disseminating information on issues affecting AnGR. Hence, in efforts to improve information and data availability at national level, the project procured ICT equipment for all Member States.

© 2019 AU-IBAR. One Voice to Catalyse Equitable Growth of the Livestock Sector through the harmonisation of key Livestock Policies (Picture 1). A unique stakeholder workshop of over 60 participants gathered in Naivasha, Kenya from 2-6 September, 2019. The stakeholder workshop, which was facilitated by AU-IBAR under the funding of the European Union brought together three groups of technical leaders of the livestock sector to discuss ways of Enhancing Harmonization and Coordination for Implementation of Key Livestock Policies, Legal and Investment Frameworks.

The groups comprised of firstly, the Continental Animal Health Platform in Africa (CAHP-Africa), a platform that brings together private and public actors to provide strategic guidance for the implementation of the Animal Health Strategy for Africa. Secondly, the Guiding Group for the CAHP oversight that was established to lead the process of reproofing the vet profession in Africa by regularly reflecting on the approach and road map. The third group comprises the Directors of Animal Production (DAP) who were invited to establish a DAP Network which is envisioned to champion and energize the implementation of the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa.

© 2019 AU-IBAR. Group photo of participants.A training workshop on AU-IBAR Procurement and Financial Requirements & Agribusiness Management Training is being held for Grant recipients of the African Union Member State (MS) Fund (with some contribution from the European Union). The training is being held in Nairobi from 10^th – 13^th September 2019 with the aim of empowering African youth and women to effectively participate in the animal resources sector.

The grant recipients comprise; existing women and youth-led enterprises and early start-ups in the animal resources value chain in Africa, African Youth in Livestock Fisheries and Aquaculture Incubation Network (AYL-FAIN), and members of the African Women in Animal Resources Farming and Agribusiness Network (AWARFA-N).

The selection of these recipients began in March 2019, when a Call for Proposals was launched. The response to the call attracted 295 project proposal submissions that were reviewed through a rigorous selection process that narrowed down the selected project proposals from 295 to 36. All 36 projects underwent ground verification. A final selection of 18 project proposals was made at a meeting held by the selection committee on 20^th August 2019. The 18 projects comprise 15 accelerators and 3 start-ups from 5 regions and 17 countries.

© 2019 AU-IBAR. Day One: Official Opening of the Stakeholders Stocktaking Exercise to Define Intervention Areas along Selected Priority Livestock Value Chains, from left to Right: Director, AU-IBAR, Prof. Ahmed Elsawalhy; Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, H.E. Prof Dr. Ezz El Din Abostate; EU Representative, Mr. Njurua Mwangi. The objective of the Stakeholder's Stocktaking meeting is to identify gaps along these selected regional value chains, inventorise the existing efforts and recommend the critical areas of intervention for catalytic effects for a coherent, accelerated and expanded impact.

Mr. Mwangi made a few comments are worth mentioning during the opening ceremony. The need for the Regional Livestock Value Chains to: include the Principle of Inclusivity and target support to women, youth and small scale producers); consider the Theory of change in regional/national concepts; The RECs choices need to be given high preference if our stocktaking will be viable and sustainable; to identify the gaps and improve the regional trade among the African countries as this would offer very good opportunities among the member states; the need for Public Private Partnerships to be well profiled in the concepts.

© 2019 AU-IBAR. Prof. Ahmed Elsawalhy's opening remarks.In his opening remarks, Prof. Ahmed Elsawalhy noted: ''In support of animal resources development and trade AU-IBAR with financial support of the European Union (EU) is implementing a programme, Sustainable Development of Livestock for Livelihoods (Live2Africa) to provide the catalyst needed to ensure that the livestock sector becomes one of the most important contributors to the African common market through the development of regional livestock values chains which will harness regional complementarities and economy of scale. This stocktaking exercise is one of the important first steps in achieving this objective.''

The Stakeholders Stocktaking Exercise has drawn 240 participants drawn from both public and private sectors; 49 AU Member States; Representatives from Regional Economic communities; Representatives from International and regional organisations working on animal resources development; Livestock development experts and; Staff from Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the Africa Union Commission.

In support of animal resources development and trade AU-IBAR with financial support of the European Union (EU) is implementing a programme, Sustainable Development of Livestock for Livelihoods (Live2Africa) to provide the catalyst needed to ensure that the livestock sector becomes one of the most important contributors to the African common market through the development of regional livestock values chains which will harness regional complementarities and economy of scale. This stocktaking exercise is one of the important first steps in achieving this objective.