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.

Arab ministers welcome the Convergence Initiative in Amman Declaration

©WFP

05/11/2024

Amman, Jordan – At the close of the Regional Forum on Accelerating Food Systems Transformation in the Arab Region, held in Amman on October 30-31, 2024, Arab Ministers of Agriculture and Arab Representatives welcomed the Hub’s Convergence Initiative in their Amman Declaration on Food and Agricultural Systems in the Arab Region.

Hosted by the Food Security Council within the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with ESCWA, FAO, WFP, UNIDO, the World Bank, and AOAD, the forum fostered discussions on strengthening the region’s food systems through good governance, effective implementation, and regional collaboration. During the event, the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub introduced the Convergence Initiative, which links food systems transformation with climate action to ensure these systems contribute effectively to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement’s climate objectives. The initiative will soon be implemented in several Arab countries, marking a significant step towards sustainable, climate-resilient food systems across the region.

The Amman Declaration reflects a collective commitment from Members to address critical challenges such as water scarcity, climate change, and other persistent threats to food security. By embracing the Convergence Initiative, it highlights the importance of uniting food systems and climate agendas to drive progress toward a resilient, hunger-free future for the region. This Declaration also charts a proactive path as the region prepares for global milestones, including the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+4) in 2025.

Khaled Eltaweel

Khaled Eltaweel, Senior Programme Officer at the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, presenting the Convergence Initiative during the forum. Photo credit: WFP.