From 18 to 20 September 2025, Bamako will host the first edition of the Forum on Development of Agriculture in the area of the Confederation of States of Sahel (AES). The announcement was made by Daniel Siméon Kelema, Malian minister of Agriculture, in the Council of Ministers on Wednesday 10 September.

Placed under the sponsorship of General Assimi GOÏTA, President of the AES Confederation and placed under the presidency of the Prime Minister, Abdoulaye MAÏGA, this forum is part of with a view to achieving a shared vision of agricultural development, in order to accelerate the sustainable transformation of agricultural systems in space of the confederation. Agriculture is the key pillar of the economy of the states of Sahel. In Mali, it employs nearly 80% of the population and contributes significantly 38% of GDP. According to the bank's agricultural sector review report Globally, Mali has considerable agricultural potential.

Approximately 44 millions of hectares can be used for agriculture and livestock, of which only 7 million hectares (16%) are currently under cultivation. This big meeting will serve as a framework for exchanges and sharing of experiences between professionals in the agricultural sector of ESA member countries, with a view to to identify synergy actions in the Agricultural field, including the implementation of work could contribute to the achievement of food sovereignty and improving the living conditions of farmers of the AES zone. The exchanges of this first meeting focused mainly on the organization and success of the forum.