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.

National Convenors propel joint implementation of the food systems transformation and climate action agendas

National Convenors explore the crucial intersection of food systems transformation and climate action, providing valuable input for the development of a new Convergence Initiative.

©FAO/Giulio Napolitano

06/12/2023

Between November 14-16, 2023, the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, in collaboration with the 4SD Foundation, organized five regional touchpoints to introduce the Food Systems and Climate Action Convergence Initiative to National Convenors. With over 200 participants, the event provided a platform for Convenors to share insights and collaborate on shaping this groundbreaking initiative.

Introducing the Convergence Initiative

The Convergence Initiative stems from the recognition, highlighted in the UN Secretary-General's Report of the Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+2), that current food systems contribute significantly to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The Secretary-General’s Call to Action for Accelerated Food Systems Transformation urges leaders to incorporate food systems strategies into national policies, aligning them with climate action and nature preservation goals.

Elevating the importance of food systems, the United Arab Emirates COP28 Presidency launched the Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda during the UNFSS+2 in Rome. This agenda prioritizes aligning national food systems pathways with climate-related targets by 2025, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). It aims to secure commitments from governments and all stakeholders, solidifying the transformation of food systems as a central item on the global climate agenda.

The initiative's objectives

As part of these broader efforts, the Convergence Initiative is designed to assist countries in maximizing synergies between food systems transformation and climate action, aligning with COP30 and UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktaking Moment in 2025. It aims to catalyze advancements toward climate-smart, people-centric, and nature-positive food systems, promoting a fair, inclusive, and sustainable future aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The initiative will actively promote a national convergence process, offering support through periodic technical assistance, orientation sessions, facilitation of resources, including the use of convergence dialogues, and ongoing guidance, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration and stakeholder engagement on the journey towards COP30.

Input from National Convenors

During the touchpoints, National Convenors and their teams were prompted to consider key questions to support the development of this Convergence Initiative. The questions aimed to encourage reflection on existing mechanisms for integrating food systems transformation and climate action agendas, the extent of integration in national policies, and the anticipated opportunities and challenges in converging these agendas.

The insights gathered from the National Convenors during the touchpoints emphasized the importance of aligning food systems transformation with climate action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They outlined ongoing efforts to link these agendas and welcomed the Convergence Initiative for its potential to contribute significantly at both national and regional levels while adapting to the diverse contexts of each country. Participants also recognized its ability to foster cooperation and synergy among diverse stakeholders operating at various scales.

The path forward

The regional touchpoints marked a significant step in fostering international collaboration to address the complex interplay between food systems and climate action. The Convergence Initiative, with its strategic objectives and support mechanisms, holds promise in steering countries towards more sustainable and resilient futures. As the initiative gains momentum, the global community looks forward to witnessing transformative changes in food systems and climate action on the path to achieving shared environmental and developmental goals.