In November 2024, the inaugural Tropical Summit, a novel event dedicated to addressing the unique challenges of tropical regions, brought together global leaders and experts for an inspiring week of discussions and collaboration. Among the many participants, SustInAfrica played a pivotal role in showcasing its work on sustainable agriculture intensification across Africa, making a valuable contribution to the summit’s proceedings and outcomes.
Organized by the Colégio Tropical of the University of Lisbon and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the summit took place from November 4 to November 8, 2024, at the Lisbon Congress Center. The event revolved around four thematic axes: “Planetary health – life thriving within global boundaries”, “Agricultural development – sustainability as a path to socio-economic progress”, “Territorial and social transitions – building resilient societies in all dimensions”, and “Human enrichment – capacity building for the times ahead”. Esteemed speakers, including ecologist Jens-Christian Svenning, political expert Peyi Soyinka-Airewele, and anthropologist Arjun Appadurai, contributed their profound insights to these critical themes.
The summit’s opening session set the tone with a speech by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and State, Paulo Rangel, followed by the inaugural session featuring the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, and a much-anticipated address by Jeffrey Sachs, the renowned economist and sustainable development advisor to multiple United Nations Secretaries-General. Other notable participants included the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Angola, Carmen Neto, and the indigenous leader Ubiraci Pataxó, among others.
SustInAfrica stood out as a key participant, showcasing its initiatives on sustainable agriculture at a dedicated stand. Alongside other Horizon 2020 projects—EWA-BELT, Soils4Africa, HealthyFoodAfrica, SustainSahel, and UPSCALE—SustInAfrica presented its work through engaging roll-ups, posters, flyers, and memorable souvenirs. A highlight of SustInAfrica’s involvement was its role in organizing a cluster breakout session, which brought together representatives from these Horizon 2020 projects to discuss shared goals and achievements.
The breakout session, moderated by Dr. Adam Standring (ISEG) of SustInAfrica, began with a warm welcome and introductions. Dr. Giles Young (LUKE) provided an overview of the objectives and activities of the participating projects since their inception. This was followed by a brief presentation on HealthyFoodAfrica and a reflective session by Dr. Mila Sell (LUKE), setting the stage for deeper discussions.
The session’s centerpiece was an informative panel featuring Prof. Larwanou Mahamane (SustInAfrica), Mr. Vladimir Mrkajić (UPSCALE), Mr. Fernando Sousa (SustainSahel), Laura Altea (EWA-BELT), Dr. Luis Pisco Bexiga Calisto (Soils4Africa), and Dr. Mila Sell (HealthyFoodAfrica). Panelists explored key themes such as scalable innovations, sustainable food production, resource optimization, gender inclusivity, and resilience to climate and socio-economic changes. The discussions highlighted actionable insights and collaborative approaches that promise to enhance the long-term success of EU-Africa initiatives.
Beyond the breakout session, other SustInAfrica team members also contributed to the summit’s rich intellectual landscape. Dr. Helena Cristina Serrano (FC.ID) delivered an impressive presentation on Indicators for Ecosystem Services Evaluation in African Agroecosystems, focusing on nutrient and carbon cycle regulation through decomposition processes, exemplified by the innovative teabag experiment. Similarly, Pierre Ellssel (BOKU) presented on the Potential of Ex-situ Organic Resources for Soil Health in Africa, exploring the use of household and other off-farm organic waste streams for the production of organic fertilizers to support local farmers.
SustInAfrica’s active involvement in the Tropical Summit exemplified its commitment to sustainable agriculture and its role as a leader in fostering innovation and resilience across African agroecosystems. The summit provided a powerful platform for exchanging ideas, building partnerships, and advancing collaborative solutions for the unique challenges of tropical regions. Through its presentations, discussions, and networking efforts, SustInAfrica not only highlighted its achievements but also contributed meaningfully to the global discourse on sustainable development in the tropics. As the summit concluded, there was a shared sense of purpose and optimism among participants. SustInAfrica’s contributions underscored the importance of integrated efforts to address pressing issues and harness the immense potential of tropical regions for a sustainable and equitable future.