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.

The catalytic role of policy integration and inclusive governance for food systems transformation and SDG acceleration

At the 2024 High-level Political Forum (HLPF), experts explored innovative strategies for food systems transformation, with the potential to drive SDG acceleration through policy integration and inclusive governance.

17/07/2024

12 July 2024, New York: The 2024 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) buzzed with energy and anticipation as delegates, policymakers, and stakeholders from around the world gathered to tackle the 2030 Agenda amid mounting global challenges. Recognizing food systems as a critical entry point for achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the forum highlighted their potential to accelerate SDG progress through coordinated and innovative actions. In this context, the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the European Union, Mexico, and South Africa organized a side event to showcase holistic approaches and successful implementations in transforming food systems, driving forward the global sustainable development agenda.

Setting the stage

The event began with a warm welcome from the moderator, Corinna Hawkes, Director of Agrifood Systems and Food Safety at FAO. She emphasized the importance of moving from silos to systems in order to accelerate progress towards the SDGs. “Significant progress is being made around the world in the development and delivery of policies, interventions, innovations, and investments to transform agrifood systems. It is only by connecting these into an integrated, systems approach that we will achieve the transformative impact we need,” she asserted.

Opening remarks

A video message from Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, highlighted the critical need for integrated policies and inclusive governance mechanisms to fast-track food systems transformation. She underscored the importance of a whole-of-society approach, bringing diverse voices to the table, and leveraging global assets like the CFS guidelines to promote policy coherence.

Axel de la Maisonneuve, European Union Ambassador to ECOSOC, reinforced the EU's commitment to sustainable food systems through their Farm to Fork Strategy. This strategy integrates diverse stakeholders to create fair, healthy, and environmentally-friendly food systems, aligning with broader goals under the European Green Deal. "With barely six harvests left before 2030, the need to make transformative changes to our agrifood systems has never been more critical," he noted.

Nosipho Nausca-Jean Jezile, Chair of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), provided insightful remarks emphasizing the vital role of policy integration. “Policy integration is among the most powerful tools for transforming food systems on the way to achieving the SDGs – particularly when it comes to SDG 2, but practically encompassing all other SDGs as well,” she stated. She highlighted the CFS’s efforts in promoting voluntary global policy guidance and fostering stakeholder collaboration to tackle hunger and malnutrition.

Panel 1: National pathways to transformation

The first panel session featured distinguished speakers who shared their countries' experiences with policy integration and inclusive governance:

Alicia Buenrostro Massieu, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the UN, highlighted the "Sembrando Vida" program, which aims to improve rural quality of life through sustainable production, food self-sufficiency, and environmental conservation. This initiative supports SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), by fostering sustainable agroforestry systems and creating employment opportunities in rural areas.

Ahmed Magdy, Counselor, Permanent Mission of Egypt to the UN, discussed Egypt's challenges and initiatives, including the "Decent Life" and "FAST (Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation)" programs. These initiatives focus on improving living conditions and food security, particularly in rural areas, while addressing climate resilience and sustainable transitions.

Vicente Araújo, General Coordinator for Sustainable Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, highlighted Brazil's innovative Single Registry Portal, which consolidates multiple social programs into a single platform, ensuring streamlined access to essential services and promoting policy coherence across various sectors. This system enhances food security, nutrition, and economic stability, particularly for the most vulnerable populations, by integrating sustainable development efforts.

Panel 2: Reflections from the Ecosystem of Support

The second panel session brought insights from key support organizations:

Iain Wright, Vice-Chair of the Steering Committee of the CFS High-Level Panel of Experts (HLPE-FSN), emphasized the necessity of inclusive governance and evidence-based policies. He highlighted the importance of involving local governments in shaping food systems and the need for a whole-of-government approach to address food security and nutrition.

Afshan Khan, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Coordinator of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, shared SUN's experiences with multi-stakeholder platforms that integrate nutrition into food systems transformation. She stressed the importance of inclusive governance, particularly the representation of women and youth, in driving policy and investment to combat malnutrition.

Jean-Luc Chotte, Research Director, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, representing the Agroecology Coalition, discussed agroecology's role in food systems transformation. He highlighted the Coalition's efforts to promote biodiversity, resilience to climate change, and integrated policies through national and global initiatives.

Closing remarks

The event concluded with closing remarks from Stefanos Fotiou, Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. He echoed the UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action at the UN Food Systems Summit +2 (UNFSS+2) Stocktaking Moment, which advocates for incorporating food systems strategies into all national policies for sustainable development. “Integrated policies that incorporate food systems strategies can help us deliver on all the SDGs, enhancing livelihoods, nutrition, health, economic growth, and climate action,” he stated, highlighting the Hub's role in supporting National Convenors to achieve these goals.

The side event underscored the power of policy integration and inclusive governance as catalysts for food systems transformation and SDG acceleration. The shared experiences and innovative solutions presented provided valuable insights and inspiration for continued efforts towards achieving a sustainable, equitable, and food-secure world by 2030.