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.

Uniting Forces: Kicking off UNFSS+2 Preparations with Coalitions

20/02/2023

On 20 February 2023, the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub met with the focal points and members of the Food Systems Coalitions of Action to discuss the upcoming UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+2) scheduled to take place in Rome, Italy from 24 to 26 July 2023. The UNFSS+2 aims to showcase the essential role of food systems transformations in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provide a platform for countries to share success stories and early signs of transformation.

During the meeting, Stefanos Fotiou, Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, stressed the importance of inclusivity and avoiding working in silos in the lead-up to the UNFSS+2. While he highlighted the importance of communicating action, he also emphasized the value of presenting both successes and failures in food systems transformation efforts.

“What is the main question we need to answer in the Stocktaking Moment?” asked Mr Fotiou. “We need to demonstrate how we are collectively walking the talk of the Food Systems Summit; how we are delivering on the commitments made by countries, stakeholders, coalitions, the UN and other actors.”

The meeting included an open dialogue session where coalitions had the chance to ask questions and discuss their expectations from the UNFSS+2 to ensure it is inclusive, impactful and solution-oriented.

Following this dialogue, Denise Costa Coitinho Delmue, Senior Consultant at UN-Nutrition, provided details on Session 6 of the 4^th Global Conference of the One Planet Network Sustainable Food Systems Programme, which is co-organized by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and is in support of the UNFSS+2. Session 6 will focus on engaging the Ecosystem of Support for food systems transformation. Coalitions are invited to conduct a self-reflection on the extent to which they are adopting a food systems approach in their work and collaborating with other coalitions. All coalitions are highly encouraged to join this exercise to help break down working silos, build bridges across coalitions and support a common understanding of what a sustainable food systems approach is.

The Hub looks forward to more frequent meetings with coalitions to support effective collaboration leading up to the UNFSS+2, and extends its deep appreciation for the coalitions’ commitment, interest, and engagement in helping countries implement their national pathways.

A copy of the presentation given by Stefanos Fotiou can be accessed here.