The ability of the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region to attain significant progress towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) will largely hinge on sustainable management of agricultural water and adaptation to a changing climate. Agricultural transformation in the NENA region has followed a specific path resulting in imbalance between rural and urban agricultural development, particularly apparent in the food production systems in the region. One approach to consider in agricultural development would be agroecology, which can make an important contribution to the transformation towards more sustainable food systems by guiding adaptation strategies. Agroecology is not completely new in the region. It is rooted in ancient agroecology heritage systems, based on traditional practices such as small-scale and family farming, oasis agriculture, traditional water-harvesting systems, transhumant pastoralism and artisanal fisheries. The NENA region has also developed important experiences related to sustainable agriculture and support for smallholder livelihoods. Agroecology approaches can build on these experiences and support a more integrated approach to the multiple objectives of environmental, social and economic development. Scaling up agroecology for adapting to climate change for food security will yield multiple benefits in terms of enhanced resilience of agriculture systems, improved management of natural resources, improved livestock and rangelands management, more effective management of genetic resources and biodiversity. It will require new approaches to research and knowledge sharing as well as making institutions work to support agroecology.