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.

UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and Government of Germany Collaborate to Build the Next Generation of Food Systems Leaders

Funding agreement signed to empower emerging leaders in developing countries to help transform food systems for a sustainable future.

Pictured: Mr Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development - BMZ, Germany and Mr Laurent Thomas, Deputy Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) during the signing ceremony of a new funding agreement for a UN Food Systems Coordination Hub initiative

©FAO/Giulio Napolitano

27/06/2023

Rome, 27 June 2023 –The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on behalf of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub has signed a funding agreement with the Government of Germany in support of a new project, titled "Building the Next Generation of Food Systems Leadership in Developing Countries."

This pioneering initiative, scheduled to run until 2025, marks a new milestone within the work of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, enabling a scale-up of actions to empower emerging leaders in developing countries with the skills and knowledge necessary to address the ever-increasing complex challenges of transforming food systems and advancing sustainable solutions.

The signing ceremony, attended by Mr Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development - BMZ, Germany, Mr Laurent Thomas, Deputy Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and Ms Sylvia Lopez-Ekra, Deputy Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, took place on 26 June 2023, at the FAO headquarters in Rome.

Speaking at the event, FAO Deputy Director-General Thomas said: “This project represents the shared vision of the Hub and Germany to empower the next generation of leaders who will drive the transformative change needed to build more efficient, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient agrifood systems.”

“By investing in the development of young leaders from developing countries, we are strengthening their capacity to address the multifaceted challenges facing agrifood systems around the world and allowing them to thrive. We are investing in our future,” he added.

State Secretary Flasbarth emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating: "Germany is proud to support partner countries in building resilient and sustainable food systems via the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. By investing in young leaders in developing countries we can unlock the potential for positive change and improve the livelihoods of millions."