FAO highlights strengthened collaboration with Arab Parliament and LAS to advance regional efforts on reducing food loss and waste

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) joined the Arab Parliament and the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States (LAS) in a regional workshop aimed at advancing Arab legislation to reduce food loss and waste across the region. The workshop convened representatives from regional and international organizations, including UN ESCWA, the Regional Food Banks Network, and the Arab Federation for Food Industries (AFFI), alongside members of the Arab Parliament, technical experts, and specialists in food security and sustainable development. FAO participated at a high level and contributed technical expertise to support regional efforts to strengthen sustainable agrifood systems.

Opening the proceedings, H.E. Mohamed bin Ahmed Al-Yamahi, President of the Arab Parliament, underscored the urgency of strengthening joint Arab parliamentary action to confront increasing food security pressures across the region. He stressed that developing modern, harmonized legislation is essential to reducing food loss and waste and ensuring the sustainability of food resources at a time when global food systems face mounting challenges.

FAO was represented at the high level by Dr. Abdulhakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa. In his keynote remarks, Dr. Elwaer emphasized the importance of robust cooperation between parliamentary institutions and international organizations to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the goal of ending hunger by 2030. He noted that legislative reforms and improved regulatory frameworks play a central role in creating food systems that are more resilient, efficient, and sustainable.

FAO also contributed to the workshop’s technical discussions. During his intervention, Moustapha Mohamed, Food Safety and Quality Officer from FAO’s Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE), reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to supporting countries in the region to reduce food loss and waste through evidence-based policy guidance, targeted technical assistance, and capacity development. The workshop’s opening session also included remarks from H.E. MP Mohamed Al-Bakouri, Chair of the Arab Parliament’s Economic and Financial Affairs Committee, and Dr. Wadid Aryan of the LAS Department of Sustainable Development and International Cooperation. Discussions throughout the workshop examined the current state of food loss and waste in Arab countries, the impact of inefficient supply chains, and the need for coherent regulatory frameworks that can be scaled across the region.

Experts from FAO, ESCWA, the Arab Federation for Food Industries, and the Regional Food Banks Network offered insight into global and regional best practices while members of the Arab Parliament’s Economic and Financial Affairs Committee provided national perspectives and priority areas for legislative action.

On the sidelines of the workshop, H.E. Al-Yamahi met with Dr. Elwaer to discuss reinforcing cooperation between the Arab Parliament and FAO. The meeting highlighted the importance of institutionalizing this partnership to strengthen food security policies and enhance regional coordination on agricultural and developmental priorities.

The workshop concluded with a set of key recommendations aimed at guiding the next phase of regional and national efforts to curb food loss and waste. Participants emphasized the need to develop a joint technical programme with FAO and international partners to support the preparation of national legislation and promote wider adoption of the Arab Model Law. They also stressed the importance of harmonizing regulatory frameworks across Arab countries, enhancing the role of the private sector, and encouraging civil society and food banks to take part in national dialogues. Participants called for expanded educational initiatives to promote responsible consumption, as well as awareness campaigns linked to cultural, religious, and humanitarian values. Engagement of Arab parliaments in global summits on hunger and malnutrition was also encouraged to elevate regional priorities and share Arab experiences on the international stage.

Participants affirmed that the workshop marked an important step toward strengthening Arab cooperation to reduce food loss and waste and reinforce food security systems. They highlighted that sustained legislative reform, technical collaboration, and public engagement will be essential to supporting the Arab region’s progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.