His Majesty King Letsie III as the African Union Nutrition Champion says collaborative efforts towards ending hunger, stunting and malnutrition are amongst the strategies that African countries must engage in.

His Majesty said this at the closing ceremony of the two-day High-level dialogue on Nutrition funding in Maseru on Friday.

Speaking at the event, His Majesty said there is a need to increase efforts in reaching the 202 targets on ending hunger and improving nutrition in African countries therefore vast participation from leaders is highly recommended.

He stated that the participation in the dialogue shows the true determination that the African leaders are having toward ending hunger and starvation in their respective countries.

His Majesty added that event like this will offer all relevant stakeholders an opportunity to participate and advise how the suggested strategies towards ending hunger and starvation can be well implemented.

He however showed that there is a need to put in place sustainable and stable financial support that will help towards ending hunger and starvation in African countries.

Also Speaking, the UN Resident Coordinator,  Ms. Amanda Khozi Mukwashi noted that this dialogue comes in at the right time when the world is faced with various challenges, including the increased cost of living on basic.

She said it is the responsibility of African leaders to decide on the future and development of their countries in improving nutrition within their countries.

She said Africa must first and foremost look internally to generate resources and create the fiscal latitude to finance its development agenda including nutrition, food systems that are sustainable and help accelerate community resilience and well-being.

Meanwhile, the FAO Resident Coordinator, Dr David Phiri said it goes without saying that climate change conflicts between Russia and Ukraine were identified as challenges that interfere with food security, especially in the most vulnerable households.

He also commended the initiatives that the African Union countries have engaged in in ensuring food security.

The event was grace by the presence of Her Majesty Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso, the Prime Minister, Mr. Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, international organizations, development partners including Finance Ministers from the Cost of Hunger Countries, African Parliamentarians, some United Nations Agencies, Regional Economic Communities, and the Private Sector.

By Staff Reporter: ‘Maphoka Likotsi