Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, to represent Nigeria at the second United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit from July 27 to 29.

Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice-President, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Nkwocha said Mr Shettima would join other global leaders at the high-level event to advance the transformation of the coffee value chain, as well as roundtables and meetings aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s food security drive.

He also said the summit would bring together global leaders to reflect on progress made since the inaugural 2021 UN Food Systems Summit and accelerate commitments towards building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems.

Similarly, Mr Nkwocha said Mr Shettima would also participate in other events on the sidelines of the summit designed to spotlight real-world examples of food systems transformation and promote knowledge exchange and partnership.

According to him, this is with a view to inspiring collective action through evidence-based solutions and creative expression.

” One of the events on the sidelines of the summit is a ministerial roundtable on public finance, trade, and responsible investment to accelerate the transition, field trips, and networking sessions,” Mr Nkwocha added.

He said Mr Shettima had outlined three key objectives for Nigeria’s delegation: Positioning Nigeria as a leader of thought on African food systems reform, leveraging international partnerships aligned with domestic priorities, and advancing a private sector-led model for continental food transformation.

Mr Nkwocha said the summit was organised in collaboration with the United Nations and the governments of Ethiopia and Italy.

According to him, the vice-president is expected back in Nigeria after his participation in the activities at the summit.

(NAN)