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.

Regional insights: National Convenors review food systems transformation progress in the Arab landscape

18/03/2024

Beirut, Lebanon: During the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development (AFSD) 2024, the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub in close partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and FAO, organized two events that focused on the transformation of food systems within the Arab region. These gatherings brought together a diverse group of food systems actors, including National Convenors, experts, and representatives from civil society and international organizations, all united in their commitment to reshaping food systems in the face of contemporary challenges.

Regional Meeting with National Convenors for Near East and North Africa

On 6 March 2024, the Regional Meeting convened National Convenors from the Near East and North Africa to assess progress and foster knowledge exchange on food systems transformation. The event emphasized the necessity of aligning food systems with climate action initiatives, welcomed the Hub Convergence initiative, while highlighting the importance of integrated approaches to achieve sustainability and resilience. Topics discussed spanned governance mechanisms, financing, monitoring frameworks, and the crucial role of regional cooperation in ensuring successful execution and mutual progress.

In his introductory remarks, H.E. Mr. Abbas AL Hajj Hassan, Minister of Agriculture in Lebanon, underscored the importance of global solidarity and support for both local and displaced populations, as well as the need for cohesive legislation and execution. H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Eldukheri, Director-General of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), highlighted the significance of strategic partnerships and enhanced access to technology. Mr. Mounir Tabet, Deputy Executive Secretary of ESCWA, pointed out the critical need for investments in rural development, innovation, and the creation of equitable food systems. Ms. Nora Ourabah, FAO Representative in Lebanon, reiterated the reaffirmed commitment to strategic collaboration among UN agencies and with countries to facilitate a successful transformation of food systems.

Opening session of the Regional Meeting with National Convenors.

Country progress updates

Participants discussed the significant strides made since the UN Food Systems Summit +2 (UNFSS+2) Stocktaking Moment in July 2023, with countries actively engaging in multi-stakeholder dialogues, developing platforms for collaboration, and integrating national pathways into their policies.

Countries have initiated various activities aligned with the Secretary-General's Call to Action, such as the launch of Lebanon’s first national pathway, Egypt's formation of a national committee for sustainable food systems involving multiple stakeholders and governmental institutions, Sudan's development of a pathway action plan through multi-stakeholder dialogues, and Jordan's creation of a platform for food security and nutrition with broad participation across relevant ministries and stakeholders.

Despite the complexities introduced by multiple crises, including conflicts and climate change, the National Convenors’ resolve to continue advancing the food systems agenda remained unwavering.

Following a presentation on the Climate Convergence Initiative – a Hub initiative supported by the 4SD Foundation – National Convenors shared their experiences on integrating efforts in food systems and climate action. Carol Chouchani Cherfane, the Cluster Lead for Climate Change and Natural Resource Sustainability at ESCWA, delivered a presentation on climate finance where she outlined the present landscape of financial flows within the region and emphasized the urgent need to address both climate change and food system challenges at once. She underscored the critical issue of climate change intensifying existing problems such as water scarcity and soil degradation, noting that twelve states in the region are facing absolute water scarcity.

The full summary meeting report of the regional meeting will be available soon. Find the presentations from the Regional Meeting here.

Food for Thought: Unpacking UNFSS+2 Outcomes in the Arab Region and Charting the Action Plan for Resilient Food Systems Transformations

On 7 April 2024, following the regional meeting, a special session on "Unpacking UNFSS+2 Outcomes in the Arab Region and Charting the Action Plan for Resilient Food Systems Transformations" delved into the specifics of implementing the Secretary-General's Call to Action in the Arab context.

Ms. Sylvia Ekra, Deputy Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, highlighted the pivotal role of collaboration in the Arab region, with 17 National Convenors and 11 national pathways already established. “Our strength lies in regional collaboration,” she emphasized, pointing out the strong participation of Arab leaders at UNFSS+2 as a testament to their recognition of the transformative potential of sustainable food systems.

H.E. Ms. Inaya Ezzeddine, National Convenor for Lebanon, detailed key outcomes of the regional meeting, emphasizing the Arab region's significant development challenges—exacerbated by crises like COVID-19, conflicts, and climate change—that impede progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The way forward was outlined with a focus on adopting a food systems approach to achieve food security, a human-centered strategy, multi-level cooperation, and a strong call for governance reform, regional integration, and climate action to address these systemic issues and promote sustainable development.

The following roundtable discussion emphasized the critical areas identified for future food systems development, exploring the region-specific challenges and aligning them with global objectives. The discourse underscored the necessity for collaborative efforts across various sectors to implement sustainable practices, highlighting the roles of private sector engagement, civil society contributions, and the support of regional organizations.

Unified strategies for the Arab region

Both events highlighted the multifaceted challenges facing the Arab region, from developmental setbacks and environmental crises to the repercussions of conflict, notably the situation in Gaza. The discussions offered a platform for sharing strategies that prioritize a human-centered approach, governance reforms, and climate-smart policies, aiming for a comprehensive transformation of food systems. The emphasis was on creating inclusive, sustainable solutions that address the root causes of food systems fragility, enhance legislative support, and foster international cooperation to ensure food security and sustainable development across the region.

These meetings with National Convenors illuminated the path forward for the Arab region, advocating for unified visions, strategic collaborations, and innovative solutions to overcome current challenges and achieve development goals.