SEED FUNDING JOINT PROGRAMMES

Egypt

Strengthening Sustainable and Resilient Food and Nutrition Systems in Egypt for SDG Acceleration

SDG 2 Zero Hunger Logo SDG 3 Good Health and Well-Being SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

PROJECT TITLE	Strengthening Sustainable and Resilient Food and Nutrition Systems in Egypt for SDG Acceleration
Context	Egypt engaged actively in the 2021 Food Systems Summit process, convening a national dialogue and developing national pathways with recommended interventions for improving food security and nutrition by 2030. To enhance multi-sectorial coordination and spearhead the transformation process, the Government created a National Committee for Food and Nutrition Systems chaired by the Prime Minister and bringing together several ministries to coordinate joint actions. Strengthening coordination mechanisms, fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships, consolidating accountability structures, focusing on the availability of evidence, analysis, and data, are identified as key priorities to strengthen the food systems governance structure in Egypt.
PUNOs	WFP, FAO, UNICEF
Contribution to SDGs	SDG 2 Zero Hunger, SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being, 12 Responsible Consumption and Production.
Contribution to other SDG transitions	Climate, biodiversity, pollution
Duration	June 2024 – May 2025
Expected financial leverage	$87,000 (PUNO co-financing)
Alignment with SG Call to Action	Policy integration; Food systems governance; Research, data, technology and innovation; Inclusive and participatory design; Private sector engagement
Outcomes	The JP contributes to strengthening policy and governance frameworks for food systems transformation and generating evidence and analysis on key dimensions of food systems to inform decision-making, supporting the work of the National Committee for Food and Nutrition Systems. The JP complements the government’s flagship program “Country Platform for the Nexus of Water, Food and Energy”, which provides a mechanism to mobilize climate finance and private investments.
Partners	National Committee for Food and Nutrition Systems, including Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Supply and Internal Trade, Health and Population, Planning and Economic Development, International Cooperation, Social Solidarity, Youth and Sports, Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Water Resources and Irrigation, and Trade and Industry, as well as representatives of the Defense Ministry and the National Authority for Food Safety Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics CSOs, private sector, IFIs
Outputs	Strengthen capacity of government institutions including the National Committee for Food and Nutrition Systems to effectively develop, implement, and monitor multi-sector, climate resilient, and gender responsive plans and initiatives for food system transformation. Develop recommendations on financing options, partnerships and M&E for Egypt’s food systems strategies ad national pathways addressed to the National Committee for Food and Nutrition Systems. Support development and/or drafting of M&E plans and costing plans for key policy frameworks relevant to food systems agenda, including on anaemia reduction and marketing of breastmilk substitutes. Conduct analysis on gender-disaggregated impacts of economic crises on different food systems segments. Carry out analysis and develop recommendations for: 1) more efficient, climate resilient, and gender responsive food value chains; 2) food loss and waste systems in small-holder farming systems; 3) food marketing.

Advancing sustainable development through food systems transformation in Latin America and the Caribbean

22/04/2024

Santiago, Chile - The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, in close collaboration with the UN Interagency Food Systems Task Force for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), recently convened two key events at the LAC Sustainable Development Forum 2024. These gatherings emphasized the transformative potential of food systems in the region, underscoring the need for collaborative approaches to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Food systems transformation as an accelerator for the SDGs in the LAC region

On April 15, 2024, stakeholders from across the LAC region gathered to engage in a side event titled "Food Systems Transformation as an Accelerator for the SDGs." This event, drawing on outcomes from significant global forums such as the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+2), the SDGs Summit, and COP28, explored the holistic integration of climate action, resilience building, and enhanced food security and nutrition.

The discussion emphasized the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to food systems transformation to integrate various SDGs, particularly those aimed at ending poverty, achieving zero hunger, and enhancing climate action. Ms. Lola Castro, representing the LAC Food Systems UN Task Force, highlighted the challenges of the high cost of healthy diets in the region—the most expensive in the world—and discussed innovative social protection measures aimed at mitigating these costs and reducing food insecurity, despite economic challenges.

Mr. Mario Lubetkin, FAO Regional Representative for LAC, drew attention to the slight decrease in hunger noted in the SOFI 2023 report. However, he acknowledged that significant challenges remain due to climate change, economic disparities, and geopolitical tensions. The event underscored the active participation of regional actors in the UNFSS+2 and the broad endorsement of the UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, which emphasizes the critical role of agriculture in climate resilience.

Latin America and the Caribbean Food Systems Transformation Progress Review

The following day, National Convenors from across LAC convened to assess the progress in implementing national food systems transformation pathways since the UNFSS+2. This gathering served as a follow-up to the LAC Regional Preparatory Meeting held in April 2023, with a focus on addressing common implementation challenges, fostering peer learning and sharing best practices.

Ms. Lola Castro reiterated the pivotal role of the Task Force in supporting 16 countries in the region through webinars, capacity-building activities, and facilitating access to financing. Mr. Stefanos Fotiou, Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, congratulated the region for its exemplary implementation efforts and called for greater involvement from international financial institutions and the private sector to catalyze these initiatives.

The panels highlighted the convergence of food systems transformation with climate action, noting the Hub’s new Convergence Initiative as a supportive tool in these efforts. The discussions also featured innovative solutions, such as food procurement for school feeding programs, insurance schemes for mitigating climateimpacts, and initiatives to reduce food waste and redistribute surplus food, demonstrating significant regional achievements.

Closing remarks and future outlook

In her closing remarks at the regional meeting, H.E. Ms. Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, commended the region for its leadership and contributions to global food systems transformation. She underscored the importance of regional collaboration in developing a collective vision for sustainable, healthy, and resilient food systems, and called for intensified efforts to strengthen governance systems, foster innovation, and secure necessary funding.

Looking forward, LAC is poised to continue its proactive approach to food systems transformation. As the region prepares for future meetings, such as the UNFSS+4 in 2025, there is a clear directive to harness the momentum gained to advocate for substantial and sustainable changes. These discussions are not merely preparatory; they represent a call to immediate action, aiming to solidify a collective vision and operationalize a roadmap that will lead to a healthier, resilient and equitable food future for all in Latin America and the Caribbean.