The 3rd Africa Protein Summit, organized by World Animal Protection, convened in Nairobi to address the pressing issues surrounding global industrial animal production. The summit highlighted the detrimental impacts of this system on the environment, equity, and public health.
Tennyson Williams, Director for Africa at World Animal Protection, emphasized the necessity of transitioning from industrial animal agriculture to a more sustainable and humane food system.
“The future we advocate for is a reduction of industrial animal agriculture, through a just transition to a system based on agroecology that results in the production of equitable, humane, and sustainable proteins on a global scale,” said Williams. He stressed that improving animal welfare is crucial for enhancing human health and creating a resilient environment.
Tennyson Williams, Director for Africa at World Animal Protection
The summit recommended three key levers for achieving a sustainable and food-secure future:
- Strengthening Food System Governance: This involves supporting environmentally and socially responsible companies and protecting traditional and local food systems.
- Promoting Agroecological Practices: A just transition to agroecology is essential for promoting human rights, environmental protection, and animal welfare, ensuring food sovereignty and security, and providing sustainable livelihoods.
- Transitioning to Plant-Rich Diets: Particularly in the global north, there is a need to reduce meat and dairy consumption to stay within planetary boundaries. This shift would benefit public health and free up resources for diversified agroecological production systems.
The summit featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, and workshops that explored innovative solutions and fostered alliances for systemic change. It underscored the importance of prioritizing smallholder farmers, Indigenous communities, and marginalized groups in shaping sustainable food futures.
The 3rd Africa Protein Summit call to action for global cooperation to transform food systems, advocating for a future where food production is equitable, humane, and sustainable.