RIPESS highlights the active participation of Mrs. Elise Pierrette Memong Meno, Secretary General of RAESS (African Network for the Promotion of the Social and Solidarity Economy), President of RESSCAM in Cameroon and RAESS representative on the RIPESS Board of Directors, in the Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Consultation ahead of the 34th FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC34), to be held in April 2026 in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

The consultation brought together peasant organizations, community networks and civil society platforms from across the continent to define priorities and recommendations that will guide the ARC34 discussions. As the FAO notes, small‑scale producers, fishers, pastoralists, processors and Indigenous communities are essential actors in Africa’s agrifood systems: they produce a significant share of the continent’s food, sustain local economies and manage natural resources with knowledge adapted to their territories.

SSE contributions to the drafting process

As a member of the consultation’s Steering Committee (COPIL), Mme Pierrette Memong Meno contributed the perspective of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) to the drafting process of the CSO declaration that will be presented at ARC34.

Her contribution helped highlight how SSE —with its focus on cooperation, community‑based resource management, territorial resilience and economic justice— can strengthen the transformation of agrifood systems and support small‑scale producers and local communities.

A key process for transforming agrifood systems in Africa

During the consultation, FAO representatives reaffirmed the fundamental role of civil society in shaping agricultural and food policies. The FAO Assistant Director‑General and Regional Representative for Africa, Abebe Haile‑Gabriel, emphasized that sustainable solutions must be built with farming communities, not only for them, reiterating FAO’s commitment to maintaining inclusive dialogue spaces.

ARC34 will also include a dedicated day for the World Food Forum – Africa Chapter, focusing on science and innovation, youth engagement and large‑scale investments to strengthen Africa’s agrifood sectors.

RIPESS’ commitment to food sovereignty and SSE

The participation of RAESS and RIPESS in this process reinforces our commitment to:

  • promoting SSE as a transformative approach to agrifood systems,
  • strengthening the voice of communities and small‑scale producers,
  • advancing public policies that recognize community‑based, cooperative and solidarity‑based economies,
  • and contributing to a just, sustainable and people‑centered transition.

We deeply appreciate the leadership of Mrs. Elise Pierrette Memong Meno, whose work has ensured that SSE is present in this key process for the future of food systems in Africa.