34th session - Rome, Italy, 7-11 May 2018
FAO Regional Conferences are where Ministers of agriculture, partner organisations, sister agencies and senior officials of Member Countries meet to elaborate on regional challenges and priorities related to food and agriculture. The Conference in each region aims to promote regional coherence on global policies and political issues.
Regional conferences are essential for ensuring the effectiveness of FAO’s regional work but also in defining its work priorities for the following biennium.
These regional priorities mirror those of all Member Countries: to develop sustainable agriculture and enhance food security. All actions identified within these objectives feed into the roadmap of the Organization’s work in the region.
FAO Regional Conference for the Near East (NERC34) marks its 34th Session. This year, it will be held at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, starting on 7 May 2018.
The Conference begins with a Senior Officers’ Meeting from 7 - 9 May 2018 and is followed by a Ministerial Plenary Session on 10 - 11 May 2018.
Issues to be discussed include:
- Agroecology: Adapting to Climate Change in Semi-arid Areas for Sustainable Agricultural Development
- Agricultural Transformation in the Near East and North Africa Region and the Challenge of Youth Employment and Migration
- One Health: Addressing Transboundary Plant, Animal and Fish Pests and Diseases: A Case for Regional Cooperation
- Results and Priorities for FAO in the Near East and North Africa Region
The following side events will also take place during NERC34:
Challenges to Zero Hunger in Conflict/Crisis Areas in NENA Region with Highlights on Somalia and Yemen -10 May 2018, 13:00 (Sheikh Zayed Centre)
FAO Strategic Programme: Delivery through Three Regional Initiatives - 9 May, 2018, 13:30 (Sheikh Zayed Centre)
This side event will illustrate how the Strategic Programmes and Regional Initiatives have assisted countries to achieve results in the NENA region.
The side event is expected to achieve the following outcomes:
- Enhance awareness and appreciation of the value that FAO’s Strategic Programmes and Regional Initiatives have in guiding prioritization at regional and country level and in supporting programme delivery;
- Share experiences among countries on cross-sectoral and multi-stakeholder possibilities to enhance impact, synergy and coordination;
- Explore opportunities for networking, partnerships and resource mobilization to further enhance the impact of the Strategic Programmes.
The Challenge of Sand and Dust Storms in the Near East Region and North Africa – 8 May 2018, 12.30
The Challenge of Sand and Dust Storms in the Near East Region and North Africa – 8 May 2018, 12.30
There is little that can be done to alter the natural occurrence of sand and dust storms. However, knowing the driving forces behind and understanding the probability and variability of these events is essential to building appropriate responses in the regions most affected by them. This event discusses ways to monitor the local prevention and mitigation measures that promote sustainable land and water management. It will also go overthe necessary actions and techniques needed to mitigate the negative effects of sand and dust storms.
Photo Exhibition: Celebrating 40 Years of FAO Country Representations - Inauguration Ceremony: Wednesday, 9 May 2018, 8:30
The photo exhibition highlights the NENA countries that are commemorating 40 years in the Field. In the region, nine country representations will be celebrating their 40th anniversary between 2017 and 2019: Egypt, Iran (the Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Syrian Arab Republic, the Sudan and Yemen. The exhibition was open for viewing from 7 May 2018. An inauguration ceremony took place on Wednesday, 9 May 2018, at 8:30 hours
You can download the photo album book of the exhibition here.
