Highlights
Events
13/ 11
2024
UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Regional Meeting - Investing in Ecosystem Restoration
Virtual Event, 13/11/2024
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) calls for the protection and revitalization of global ecosystems to benefit both people and the environment. Ecosystem restoration involves both rehabilitating degraded ecosystems and conserving intact ecosystems. Co-led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the initiative aims to ra...
Regional Priorities
Action Areas
Red Palm Weevil Eradication Programme
The Red Palm Weevil (RPW) Eradication Programme facilitates the coordination of regional efforts to ensure an integrated and sustainable approach to controlling the RPW and reducing its devastating effects on date palm production, the food and income security of rural communities, and the ecology of affected areas.
Youth empowerment
Young men and women have a key role to play in fostering sustainability, equity and resilience of agrifood systems in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. FAO works with youth across the region to improve their access to high quality education and training, decent employment, rural institutions and critical assets and services, in agrifood value chains.
Sustainable and Inclusive Agrifood Value Chains
Sustainable and inclusive agrifood value chains development is a market-oriented and systems-based approach for assessing, understanding and improving the performance of agrifood value chains, to ensure their economic, social, and environmental and climate sustainability.
The UN Decade of Family Farming
The UN Decade of Family Farming 2019-2028 (UNDFF) aims to shed new light on what it means to be a family farmer in a rapidly changing world and highlights more than ever before the important role family farmers play in eradicating hunger and shaping the future of our agri-food systems.
Addressing climate change in agrifood systems
FAO’s climate change activities aim to strengthen capacities of member countries to build resilient agrifood systems, and to plan, implement and report on climate change adaptation and mitigation actions in the agriculture sectors.
Rural advisory services for inclusive transformation in the Near East and North Africa
Rural advisory services (RAS) have a central role in equipping farmers with the knowledge and skills to cope with challenges and empower them to make informed decisions, link to markets and act collectively to improve their livelihoods and claim their agency in inclusive rural transformation.
The Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity for the Near East and North Africa
In order to help NENA countries address the food and water security challenges, the FAO’s Regional Office in the Near East and North Africa and its partners established the Water Scarcity Initiative.
Gender equality and women’s empowerment for inclusive food systems transformation
The Regional Office has a stand-alone programme of work on gender equality and women’s empowerment that addresses gender as a cross-cutting theme in all its regional priorities and initiatives.
One Country One Priority Product: Global Action on Green Development of Special Agricultural Products
The Global Action on Green Development of Special Agricultural Products (SAPs): One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) was launched by the FAO Director General in 2021. The initiative will aim to support countries in transforming their agrifood systems to be more sustainable, efficient, resilient and inclusive.
Social inclusion
In NENA countries, poverty is predominantly rural. With small scale producers – including fishers and pastoralists – and landless rural workers facing growing marginalization, rural communities are left increasingly vulnerable to economic, political and environmental shocks. This and the high prevalence of gender disparities, youth unemployment, child labour and other forms of exclusion constitute a significant barrier to more equitable agrifood systems in the region.
Stories
Blogs
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Technical Expertise
Strengthening urban-rural food systems through local production and food waste reduction
by Ahmad Mukhtar, FAO Senior Economist and Fidaa Haddad, Senior Programme Officer - 30/10/2024
Urbanization in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region is rapidly accelerating, bringing with it both opportunities and immense challenges. With projections showing that by 2050, 73 percent of the population will live in cities, surpassing 450 million people, food systems in the region are under extreme pressure to meet growing urban demands.
Greening agriculture, water scarcity and climate action
Leading the way: Gulf countries' efforts in mangrove restoration
by Fidaa Haddad, Senior Programme Officer, FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa - 26/07/2024
On the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, we delve into the vital importance of mangroves. These unique coastal ecosystems provide critical habitats for a myriad of marine and terrestrial wildlife.
Greening agriculture, water scarcity and climate action
Combating sand and dust storms in MENA: the role of tree plantation
by Fidaa Haddad, Senior Programme Officer, FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa - 12/07/2024
As we celebrate the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms 2024, it is crucial to delve deeper into the complexities of this issue. Sand and dust storms (SDS) are natural phenomena driven by a combination of environmental and human-induced factors.
Opinions
Leveraging Water for Peace: FAO’s Experience in Yemen
by Hussein Gadain - 03/04/2024
To leverage ‘Water for Peace,’ we urgently need to fully understand the water governance systems, how resources are extracted, used, shared and replenished. Our experience in Yemen has shown glaring gaps between policy and the ultimate use of the precious commodity. Another gap is limited funding to replicate best water management practices which have been piloted and proven effective.
FAO Assistant Director- General
Innovating today for a greener tomorrow: FAO's initiatives in the Near East and North Africa region
by Abdulhakim Elwaer - 21/03/2024
As we approach the International Day of Forests on 21st March, it's crucial to recognize the significance of forests, especially in dryland regions like the Near East and North Africa (NENA). With the region's population soaring, demands on land and water are escalating, making initiatives for greening agriculture, water scarcity, and climate action critical priorities for FAO.
Director-General
Accelerating the transformation of agrifood systems in the NENA region
by QU Dongyu, Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - 27/02/2024
The MENA region faces severe water scarcity and climate shocks. As a result, we must prioritize the adaptation to climate change, as well as mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
Technical Expertise
Success Story on collaboration
by Nouf Alayyadhi - 13/11/2023
As a follow-up to a successful workshop held in 2021, RNE-HR Team took initiative once again to organize an event in June of this year, in collaboration with various HR counterparts and the FAO Office of Emergencies and Resilience, this time to highlight the critical role of Human Resources in emergency and crisis contexts.
Opinions
COP28 in Dubai: Seizing the Opportunity to Achieve Global Food Security and Sustainable, Healthy Nutrition
by Mohamed Alaidaroos Alhashimi - 30/09/2023
As we prepare to host the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, it is crucial to underscore the significance of this global platform for advancing the sustainable development agenda in the Arab region and worldwide.
Technical Expertise
Urgent need for a Regional Strategy for Sustainable Management of Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases (TPPDs) in the Near East and North Africa
by Thaer Yaseen - 07/09/2023
The Near East and North Africa (NENA) region is challenged by the continuous threat of transboundary plant pests and diseases, the introduction and spread of which is facilitated by increased trade activities,
Partnerships & Cooperations
The Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Unit (SPRM)
by Kayan Jaff - 14/08/2023
The Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Unit (SPRM) is designed to promote a more systematic use of partnerships in the Near East and North Africa Region (NENA), and to provide practical guidance to FAO units and partners to facilitate the selection, prioritization, development and management of new or renewed partnerships.
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Technical Expertise
Advancing Water Action for Food and Climate Security
by HEBA AL-HARIRY - 09/08/2023
In June 2022, FAO launched the interregional Water Scarcity Platform (iRTP-WS) as a "Centre of Excellence" that brings together experts and stakeholders from various regions, drawing on their collective knowledge, in an action and result-oriented partnership to accelerate the achievement of water, food and climate security, as well as sustainable development in the various regions.
Publications
The Sudan: Impact of shocks on livestock inputs, food supply chains and livestock livelihoods DIEM – Data in Emergencies Monitoring report, July 2024
2024
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, through the Data in Emergencies Monitoring (DIEM-Monitoring) System, implemented a survey to assess the functionality of markets, the supply and accessibility of food items and livestock inputs, and to identify challenges experienced by livestock keepers and traders in the Sudan.
Food policy monitoring in the Near East and North Africa region. 2nd Quarter 2024 | Bulletin Regional food safety – exploring challenges, strategies and actions
2024
The Quarterly Food Policy Monitoring Bulletin presents recent trends in international and regional commodity markets, food price developments, and regional crop situations. It also covers the recent food and trade policy measures adopted in countries of the NENA region. Each Bulletin has a focus topic that is strategic in enhancing food security and nutrition in the region. This quarterly issue focuses on Regional food safety challenges, strategies and actions.
Regional Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan 2024–2027 for the Near East and North Africa region
2024
The new Regional Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan 2024–2027 for the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region aims to ensure its applicability across the diverse and complex contexts within the NENA region.
Multimedia
FAO supporting the agrifood sector in Palestine
23/10/2024
Palestine faces significant challenges for due to ongoing conflict, internal divisions, and economic instability, further exacerbated by military actions...
Empowering Rural Women in Iraq: A Path to Sustainable Progress
20/10/2024
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Iraq, acknowledges the role that rural women play—a cornerstone for food security, sustainable livelihoods,...
FAO supporting Lebanese farmers
17/10/2024
At every step, FAO Lebanon stands by farmers, cooperatives, and fishing communities, supporting them through the challenges they face. In partnership...
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=88e9f5ea_2 "Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA)")
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=a398d3ff_1 "International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)")
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=a8ad9034_1 "The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)")
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=dfbaa9f2_1 "Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and Management (INWRDAM)")
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=4eb83e5b_1 "Centre for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE)")
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=b68ea809_2 "Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO)")
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=26bd6c6b_1 "Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND)")
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=2b881a9b_1 "The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)")
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=ae3a73a3_1 "Regional Centre on Agrarian Reform & Rural Development for the Near East(CARDNE)")
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=5fad0e0e_1 "Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)")
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=adacc503_1 "Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)")
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=8bd62a66_1 "Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC)")
.tmb-th600x400.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=b35f01d6_1 "Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU)")
