Arab ministers welcome the Convergence Initiative in Amman Declaration

Amman, Jordan – At the close of the Regional Forum on Accelerating Food Systems Transformation in the Arab Region, held in Amman on October 30-31, 2024, Arab Ministers of Agriculture and Arab Representatives welcomed the Hub’s Convergence Initiative in their Amman Declaration on Food and Agricultural Systems in the Arab Region.

Hosted by the Food Security Council within the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with ESCWA, FAO, WFP, UNIDO, the World Bank, and AOAD, the forum fostered discussions on strengthening the region’s food systems through good governance, effective implementation, and regional collaboration. During the event, the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub introduced the Convergence Initiative, which links food systems transformation with climate action to ensure these systems contribute effectively to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement’s climate objectives. The initiative will soon be implemented in several Arab countries, marking a significant step towards sustainable, climate-resilient food systems across the region.

The Amman Declaration reflects a collective commitment from Members to address critical challenges such as water scarcity, climate change, and other persistent threats to food security. By embracing the Convergence Initiative, it highlights the importance of uniting food systems and climate agendas to drive progress toward a resilient, hunger-free future for the region. This Declaration also charts a proactive path as the region prepares for global milestones, including the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+4) in 2025.

Khaled Eltaweel, Senior Programme Officer at the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, presenting the Convergence Initiative during the forum. Photo credit: WFP.