非洲綠色革命聯盟（The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa）14日宣佈第一位主席將由前聯合國執行秘書安南擔任。安南在世界經濟論壇於開普敦的會議，身為主要演講者談論非洲農業時表示，他希望透過這個新職位協助全非洲大陸的農人。
非洲綠色革命聯盟總部位於肯亞，但於安南的家鄉甘納（Ghana）設立新的辦公室。該聯盟的工作範圍將分布整個非洲，加強地區和在地農業市場、協助灌溉、土壤品質和提供農人更良好的訓練；並且支持研發新種子系統以適應非洲磨人的氣候。
該聯盟已經與非洲農作科學家與少量生產的農人合作，以傳統培育技術發展更高產量和能彈性適應的主要糧食作物，以及分配這些作物的方式。不久將來他們會啟動促進非洲土壤健康的計畫。
該聯盟是在2006年成立，初期資金來自比爾‧蓋茨與瑪琳達基金會和洛克菲勒基金會提供的1億5千萬美元經費。
基金會共同主席比爾‧蓋茨表示：「安南帶來的不只是廣大幅度的經驗和透析能力以面對非洲農業問題帶來的挑戰，同時他的意志和技巧可幫助更廣層面的同伴應付那些挑戰。」
安南離開聯合國6個月後接下這份新任務。他就任聯合國執行秘書為期十年，當時任職也經常關注非洲沒落的農業系統與長期飢餓和貧窮之間的關連。
安南敏銳地認知到在非洲多數貧窮人，尤其是女人，依賴農業生產為食物和收入來源，而於2004年呼籲「一個嶄新獨樹一織的非洲綠色革命，可幫助非洲人民尋求他們的尊嚴與和平。」
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa today announced the appointment of former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan as its first chairman. Speaking at the World Economic Forum on Africa meeting in Cape Town, where he is delivering a keynote address on African agriculture, Annan said he hopes to use his new position to help farmers across the continent.
Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with a new office planned in Annan's home country, Ghana, the Alliance will be working throughout the continent to strengthen local and regional agricultural markets, help improve irrigation, soil health, and upgrade training for farmers. It will support the development of new seed systems better equipped to cope with the harsh African climate.
The Alliance is already working with African crop scientists and small-scale farmers to use conventional breeding techniques to develop more productive and resilient varieties of Africa's major food crops, as well as the means to distribute them. It will soon launch an initiative to improve the health of Africa's soils.
The Alliance for the Green Revolution in Africa, AGRA, was established last year with an initial US$150 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation.
"Kofi Annan brings not only a great breadth of experience and insight into the challenges facing African agriculture, but also the will and skill to help lead a wide range of partners to address those challenges," said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation.
Annan's new job comes six months after his departure from the United Nations, where he served to two five-year terms as secretary-general. While at the UN, Annan often drew attention to the link between Africa's failing agriculture systems and its persistent hunger and poverty.
Keenly aware that most of Africa's poor, particularly its poor women, depend on farming for food and income, in 2004 Annan called for a "new uniquely African Green Revolution - a revolution that is long overdue, a revolution that will help the continent in its quest for dignity and peace."
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
