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.

COP29: Bridging food systems, nutrition, and climate action

27/11/2024

On November 14, the WHO Health Pavilion at COP29 hosted a side event on “Aligning Food Systems, Nutrition, and Climate Action,” co-organized by the Nordic Council of Ministers, the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, WHO and the Coalition of Action on Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems for Children and All (HDSFS).

The event brought together leaders and experts from governments, civil society, and the private sector to exchange insights and solutions for integrating food systems, health, and climate goals. Discussions highlighted the scale of the challenges ahead and celebrated innovative efforts underway around the world.

The dual challenge of food systems

The session spotlighted a stark reality: food systems are responsible for a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet they leave over 700 million people hungry and 3.1 billion unable to access healthy diets. The hidden costs of these systems surpass $12 trillion annually, largely due to the consequences of unhealthy diets. As Afshan Khan, Assistant Secretary-General and Coordinator of the SUN Movement, explained, “We cannot achieve nutrition targets without considering climate, and we cannot meet climate goals without transforming food systems for healthier diets.”

Francesco Branca, Director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety at WHO, reinforced the urgency of addressing this gap. He noted that “nutrition remains underrepresented in climate policies, with only 2% of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and 16% of climate adaptation plans addressing nutrition explicitly.”

Global partnerships

Key global initiatives such as the HDSFS Coalition and the Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN) are working to bridge the gap between nutrition and climate action. These platforms aim to offer scalable, evidence-based solutions, address policy gaps, and inspire integrated approaches. “We no longer have the luxury of thinking in silos,” stressed Nancy Aburto, Deputy Director of the Food and Nutrition Division at FAO, emphasizing that the challenges we face require holistic solutions.

Najat Mokhtar, IAEA Deputy Director General and UN-Nutrition Chair, stressed in her video message the need to integrate nutrition into comprehensive food systems and climate policies. She highlighted that "nutrition-environment win-wins arise" when these elements are aligned and emphasized the UN’s unified approach in reinforcing the connection between human and planetary health, noting that “the health of our people and the health of our planet are inseparable.”

Success stories from the local level

The session also showcased national-level innovations, demonstrating how global frameworks are being adapted to address local needs. Khaled Eltaweel, Senior Program Coordinator, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, emphasized the importance of alignment across levels of action: “It is critical to align what the UN system is doing with what is happening at the national level, bringing together government, civil society, and the private sector to drive meaningful change.”

In the Nordic countries, the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR) have integrated environmental and climate considerations into dietary guidelines for the first time, informing public meal programs and school initiatives. Annica Sohlström from the Swedish Food Agency described this as “a significant step forward,” adding that “integrating health and environmental considerations into dietary guidelines shows that aligning nutrition with sustainability is not just possible but essential for achieving both healthier populations and a healthier planet.” These open-access recommendations are inspiring international collaboration and country-to-country learning.

Meanwhile, Indonesia has tailored its strategies to align food systems with climate resilience and emissions reduction goals, addressing regional diversity. Initiatives like blue food systems in Sulawesi and organic farming in Sumatra exemplify the adaptability required for systemic transformation. Programs such as the Nutritious Meals Initiative address malnutrition while promoting biodiversity through the diversification of traditional crops. Meanwhile, innovative financing mechanisms and the inclusion of youth in smart agriculture practices are fostering long-term sustainability. Gita Sabharwal, UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia, highlighted these efforts, stating, “Indonesia’s tailored strategies for climate-resilient food systems highlight the importance of diversity in solutions. By addressing regional needs and empowering communities, we are transforming food systems into drivers of sustainable development and climate action.”

Upcoming milestones

The discussions underscored the urgency of aligning food systems with health and climate objectives. As milestones like COP30, the Nutrition for Growth Summit (N4G), and the UNFSS+4 Stocktaking Moment approach, the call for systemic change grows louder.