Second AFRAS Meeting in Cairo addresses leveraging rural advisory services for inclusive rural transformation in the Arab region

The Second Meeting of the Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS) is taking place in Cairo from 25 to 27 August 2025 under the theme “Leveraging Rural Advisory Services for Inclusive Rural Transformation in the Arab Region.” The three-day hybrid event, hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), convenes policymakers, practitioners, researchers, civil society, farmer organizations, private sector representatives and development partners from across the Arab region. 

In his opening remarks, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, Abdelhakim Elwaer, stressed the central role of advisory services in overcoming the pressing challenges facing rural communities. “Rural advisory services are lifelines for farmers, bridging knowledge, innovation and markets. Investing in them is investing in resilience and rural prosperity,” he said. 

The meeting comes at a time when rural communities across the region are grappling with challenges of climate variability, water scarcity, land degradation, high levels of youth unemployment as well as protracted crises. These challenges pose added pressures on agricultural productivity, rural livelihoods and the resilience of communities. At the same time, governments, development partners and farmer organizations are increasingly recognizing the essential role that rural advisory services play in equipping small-scale family farmers, women and youth, with the knowledge, skills and technologies they need to adapt, innovate and prosper. 

AFRAS was launched in February 2024 as a regional platform to promote knowledge exchange, networking, advocacy and partnerships around rural advisory systems. Its inaugural meeting in Amman set out a shared vision and joint action plan for advancing rural advisory services in Arab region. The second meeting builds on this momentum with a packed agenda that includes the validation of the AFRAS Charter, the sharing of national experiences and innovations, and the presentation of evidence-based practices through a dedicated poster session. The programme also features an Investment Dialogue jointly organized by FAO and IFAD, designed to mobilize partnerships and investments in rural advisory services as a catalyst for inclusive rural and agrifood systems transformation.  

“Investing in rural advisory services is not only critical for farmers but also a smart investment for governments and development partners,” said May Hani, FAO Senior Programme Officer for Rural Transformation. “Through the Investment Dialogue at this year’s meeting, we are working to build the case for rural advisory systems as a strategic lever for inclusive growth, resilience, and transformation. We call for collaborative action, co-investment and strategic partnerships needed to make advisory systems more sustainable and impactful in transforming rural livelihoods across the Arab region.” 

Over the course of three days, participants engage in interactive discussions on how advisory systems can contribute to sustaining livelihoods, building resilience, driving inclusive growth and harnessing innovation for sustainable productivity and profitability. The meeting is expected to conclude with endorsement of the AFRAS Charter, renewed commitments from governments and partners towards AFRAS vision and action plan, and the adoption of a joint communique setting out shared priorities for scaling up advisory services in support of inclusive rural transformation. 

AFRAS is hosted by FAO’s Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa and contributes directly to the Organization’s Strategic Framework 2022–31 and its vision of the Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life.