FAO RNE champions regional collaboration and innovation in food systems transformation

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) actively participated in the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development (AFSD) and the UN Food Systems Summit +4 (UNFSS+4) Regional Preparatory Meeting, held in Beirut, Lebanon from 14 April to 17 April 2025. These regional engagements, organized by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub in collaboration with the FAO Office for Sustainable Development Goals, served as critical platforms to align regional food system efforts with the broader 2030 Agenda.

Reinforcing regional momentum toward 2030

The AFSD continues to be a vital annual gathering to inform the High-Level Political Forum, emphasizing the Arab region’s pathway to achieving the SDGs. This year’s forum featured a dedicated Knowledge Fair, where RNE led the organization’s participation and visibility. The booth served as a vibrant platform to showcase FAO’s diverse knowledge products from across the region, including recent publications, data dashboards, and thematic reports. FAO’s exhibit also featured interactive web pages and tools, allowing participants to explore dynamic content in real time. Visitors were especially engaged by an interactive Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) quiz, which not only tested knowledge but also sparked meaningful conversations around sustainable food systems and FAO’s work in the region.

Financing agrifood systems transformation

The UNFSS+4 Regional Preparatory Meeting hosted number of thematic sessions, one of which RNE engaged in meaningful discussions with national convenors and stakeholders. Mr. Tamás Vattai, FAO Nutrition and Food Systems Officer, during the session on ‘financing and unlocking investments’, highlighted the region’s USD 84 billion annual financing gap to eradicate chronic hunger and enable access to healthy diets. The presentation emphasized the urgency of mobilizing innovative financing mechanisms, including capital guarantees, sovereign loan guarantees, green bonds and results-based financing, to unlock more resources for agrifood systems.

From supporting micro, small and medium enterprises in Iraq through capital guarantees to scaling date production in conflict-affected Palestine, case studies underscored the importance of tailored financial solutions. The emphasis was clear: resilient, inclusive and nutrition-sensitive investment models must be central to food systems transformation in the Arab region.

Innovation Through Regional Monitoring: The Mashreq Observatory

During the thematic session on governance frameworks to support science and evidence-based policymaking for food systems transformation, RNE spotlighted the Mashreq Regional Food Security Observatory, a one stop shop for a whole host of macroeconomic and food security indicators which would be housed in Jordan and covers Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. 

The Mashreq Regional Food Security Observatory aims to strengthen food system resilience and inform policy decisions by providing timely, data-driven insights. It produces regular reports and forecasts on food prices, production, trade, and climate risks, while issuing early warnings on emerging threats. By collecting and analyzing local data, it supports both regional and national planning efforts, enabling adaptive management of food security challenges. Integrated with FAO platforms, the Observatory also helps track progress toward SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and monitors key policy areas across the food system, including agriculture, nutrition, trade, and climate resilience.

Looking ahead

Looking Ahead FAO RNE’s contributions to both the AFSD and UNFSS+4 meetings demonstrated its leadership and collaborative spirit in addressing the region’s food security challenges. By leading with knowledge, fostering innovation and supporting inclusive financing models, FAO continues to work hand-in-hand with partners to build sustainable, resilient and inclusive food systems across the Arab region.