Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE)
FAO established its Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) in Cairo in 1947 and tasked it with the overall identification, planning, implementation and monitoring of FAO programmes in the Region.
The RNE covers the following countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Eliminating food insecurity and malnutrition are persistent challenges in the Near East and North Africa. The structural dependence of its countries on food imports, make the region highly vulnerable to shocks, increasing the inability of entire communities to feed themselves.
Recent conflicts and civil instability in many countries of the region have also compounded the situation. As a result, hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition are widespread and require comprehensive and urgent intervention.
FAO is helping governments face these challenges by improving the capacity of countries to collect, produce and analyse data for policy formulation. This is done by strengthening their commitment and accountability and by coordinating efforts for joint action.
FAO also provides direct support to improve the livelihoods of millions of small farmers and rural communities, especially in countries undergoing conflict where the Organization help farmers and their families recover from crises.
Mission
The mission of FAO in the Near East and North Africa is to achieve sustainable food security for all and to help vulnerable communities cope with and recover from shocks and crises.
To do this, FAO helps Member States work toward sustainable increases in agriculture production, minimize depletion and degradation of already scarce natural resources, boost rural development and reduce food loss and waste.
FAO Regional Office Near East and North Africa
The Regional Office plays an active role in promoting South-South cooperation across Member Countries and in facilitating dialogue on regional issues and common transboundary challenges.
Through a wide range of sectoral expertise, the Regional Office ensures a multi-disciplinary approach to field interventions. Expertise offered ranges from food security to water and natural resources, from crop production and protection to fisheries, forestry, nutrition, food processing and agro-industries.
The Office also assists Member Countries in the formulation of National Plans of Action that include policy priorities guiding governments' action towards the achievement of food security and sustainable agriculture development.
The Regional Office serves as a secretariat for some intergovernmental regional bodies such as the FAO’s specialized Regional Commissions.
Core functions of the FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa include:
- Servicing Member Countries through the production of assessments and sectoral analysis
- Providing technical support and developing capacities of institutions dedicated to agriculture and food security sectors
- Building regional partnerships and alliances
- Providing up-to-date information, knowledge and data
- Assisting governments in the establishment of Information Systems that support evidence-based policy formulation.
Contact
FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa
11 Al-Eslah Al-Zerai Street, Dokki, P.O. BOX 2223, Cairo, Egypt.
Phone: (202) 3331 6000 to 3331 6007
Fax: (202) 3749 5981, (202) 3337 3419
E-mail: FAO-RNE@fao.org