 I am Kainaya Wanzi, C-G-I-A-R Special Representative for the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit. When we talk about achieving food security in Africa, we must acknowledge that rice has enormous unfulfilled potential as a strategic commodity. Already a staple of diets across Africa, it is also a cash crop closely connected with economic growth and even political stability throughout the continent. Specifically in East Africa, while the area of land used for rice cultivation has increased by 60% since 2008, yield in the same period increased by less than 4%, meanwhile demand soars beyond production causing self-sufficiency to fall from 61% to 57%. This has left East Africa exposed and reliant on cheap imports that disincentivise the innovations and efforts needed to transform production and establish a successful domestic rice sector. The COVID-19 pandemic has served as an urgent reminder of the importance of building resilient agri-food systems to achieve self-sufficiency and reduce exposure to volatile global food prices. With the right technologies, innovation and policies guided by agricultural research, East Africa can significantly reduce its rice import bill and even become a net price exporter benefitted from rising demand across Africa and overseas. I am delighted to be delivering the keynote speech this year's East Africa Rice Conference to share my thoughts on the innovations and policies needed to support rice farmers throughout East Africa. I hope you will join me online from May 18 to May 22 to discuss inclusive unsustainable rice system development opportunities and challenges.