Events
12/12
2023
14/12
2023
Technical meeting to strengthen national capacities for surveillance and management of cactus and cochineal in the Mediterranean
Marrakesh (Morocco), In person, 12/12/2023 - 14/12/2023
Since its introduction to the Mediterranean regions, the cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) has grown to be one of the most significant species of landscape as a natural or cultivated crop. The cactus pear has gradually become an important food and feed crop for smallholder farmers, improving rural livelihoods. In Southern Europe, it is mainly cultivated for fruit production, whereas in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region, its multiple uses as fodder, oil extraction, and medicinal and cosmetic uses are becoming popular in addition to its fruit production. It is also planted as hedges around farmlands to protect field crops, demarcating ownership rights over the lands, and protecting soil from erosion. Cactus pear plays a vital role in rural areas and contributes to the income of vulnerable communities. Cactus plantations are managed by men and women and mainly by young people.
7/12
2023
FAO’s Expert Consultation: Regional Foresight Exercise for the Near East and North Africa Region
Cairo (Egypt), Hybrid, 07/12/2023
Responding to calls by the 28th Committee on Agriculture and FAO Members, FAO is systematically engaging in foresight activities at corporate, regional, sub-regional and country levels for the trans...
6/12
2023
Towards the Launch of Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services
Cairo (Egypt), Virtual, 06/12/2023
The General Meeting of the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services is organized on a yearly basis to foster exchange on approaches and experiences in agriculture and rural advisory services (RAS) between diverse stakeholders and across regions. The meeting represents an opportunity to discuss the strategic directions and functioning of GFRAS and its regional fora and offers a space for learning and for providing a voice for RAS at the international level.
5/12
2023
Launch of the Regional Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) Programme
Dubai (United Arab Emirates), In person, 05/12/2023
Water is a foundational component of agrifood systems, yet it is the number one limiting factor for agriculture in the Near East and North Africa region. The region is currently facing increased challenges that undermine regional efforts toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals ...
30/11
2023
12/11
2023
FAO at COP28
Hybrid, 30/11/2023 - 12/12/2023
FAO at COP28 - The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) hosted by the United Arab Emirates in Dubai will take place between 30 November and 12 December. The Conference is set to be a landmark event in the global effort to combat climate change and ensure food security for present and future generations.
27/11
2023
29/11
2023
Regional Commission for Fisheries (RECOFI) - 12th Session - (RNE-739-12)
Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Hybrid, 27/11/2023 - 29/11/2023
Regional commission for fisheries twelfth session
Jeddah, kingdom of saudi arabia, 27-29 november 2023
23/11
2023
Understanding Loss & Damage in the Agrifood Sectors
Virtual, 23/11/2023
The fourth webinar under the FAO-AOAD-LAS webinar series “Towards climate-resilient agrifood systems in the Arab region” was h...
21/11
2023
Inception day for the FAO-GEF International Waters Project
Virtual, 21/11/2023
The Red Sea is a unique water basin that supports one of the highest levels of endemism of marine biodiversity in the world, with an estimated 14.7 percent of its fish species endemic.
20/11
2023
24/11
2023
Launch of the FAO Regional Food Systems Leadership Academy in Partnership with Centre for Resilience and Sustainable Development at University of Cambridge
Dubai (United Arab Emirates), In person, 20/11/2023 - 24/11/2023
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the complexity of fixing our broken food system at the UN Food Systems Summit+2 Stocktaking Moment in July 2023; The culmination of the event’s deliberations resulted in a Call to Action, outlining primary areas of emphasis for worldwide attention in the upcoming biennium. One pivotal aspect that emerged from the discussions was the imperative of enhancing understanding and capabilities among participants within the realm of food systems.
18/11
2023
24/11
2023
World AMR Awareness Week
Virtual, 18/11/2023 - 24/11/2023
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week has been renamed World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) after global consultation meetings with participants from various sectors and regions. The decision to rebrand the global campaign stems from the need for a more appropriate term encompassing the concept of resistance, which is the main challenge that needs to be addressed.
14/11
2023
16/11
2023
Regional Workshop Production, Conservation & Utilization of Certified Propagative Materials for Fruit Trees in NENA Countries
Rabat (Morocco), In person, 14/11/2023 - 16/11/2023
Plant Certification is defined as a domestic programme consisting of the multiplication, distribution, and production of plant materials intended for release either domestically or for export, under an officially sponsored certificate attesting to the status of the material. Plant certification programmes aim to produce and distribute high-quality planting materials that are free from systemic diseases and pests. In general, certification programmes establish eligibility rules for nurseries, growers, and other plant suppliers. Only those plants that have been registered, evaluated, indexed, and approved by the competent national authority to be free from any systemic diseases may be certified. Only plants that have been registered, indexed, and approved as free of systemic illnesses by the competent national government may be certified.
31/10
2023
Climate Data in Agriculture and Water for Adaptation: The Case of Sudan
Virtual, 31/10/2023
The third webinar under the FAO-AOAD-LAS webinar series “Towards climate-resilient agrifood systems in the Arab region” was held on Tuesday 31 October, from 11:00 am-12:00 pm (Cairo time) via Zoom. This webinar main goal was to enhance the understanding of NENA region stakeholders on how to improve climate resilience of agriculture and water sectors through improved NAP processes, with a specific focus on the crucial role of climate data in agriculture, with a case study from Sudan.
29/10
2023
2/10
2023
Cairo Water Week 2023
Hybrid, 29/10/2023 - 02/11/2023
Acknowledging the urgency of the water issues faced by countries of the region, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for the sixth year, is co-organizing Cairo Water Week, a high-level global event on water issues, in collaboration with the European Union and convened by the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation in Cairo from 29th October to 2nd November 2023.
16/10
2023
20/10
2023
World Investment Forum 2023
Dubai (United Arab Emirates), In person, 16/10/2023 - 20/10/2023
The World Investment Forum (WIF), organized by UNCTAD, is the pre-eminent global platform for investment and development. The Forum devises strategies and solutions for global investment and development challenges and it facilitates multi-stakeholder collective action to stimulate investment in development. The Forum offers a unique opportunity to influence investment-related policymaking, shape the global investment environment, and to network with global leaders in business and politics.
2/10
2023
4/10
2023
Accelerating transformation of agrifood systems
Virtual, 02/10/2023 - 04/09/2023
The Thirty-seventh Session of the Near East Regional Conference (NERC-37) will take place in February and March 2024, commencing with the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) in February 2024 and followed by the Ministerial meeting in March 2024.
21/9
2023
Net Zero, Transparency and tools for accounting for GHG emissions in agriculture
Virtual, 21/09/2023
Was held on Thursday 21 September, from 11:00 am-12:15 pm (Cairo time) via Zoom. Under the FAO-AOAD-LAS webinar series, “ Towards climate-resilient agrifood systems in the Arab region”, this webinar focused on key topics related to net zero, transparency, and tools to help countries in the NENA region assess, monitor, and reduce GHG emissions from agricultural activities.
20/9
2023
FAO-RNE Regional Technical Dialogue on Water
Virtual, 20/09/2023
In preparation for the 37th session of the Regional Conference for the Near East (NERC 37), the FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (FAO-RNE) is organizing a virtual Regional Technical Dialogue on Water, titled “Water Use Efficiency and Water Productivity within Sustainability Boundaries for Resilient Transformation of Agrifood Systems in the NENA Region “. The event will take place on 20 September 2023, from 11:00- 14:00 (Cairo time) via Zoom Platform.
20/9
2023
Presenting the Guidelines for action on food loss and waste reduction in the Near East and North Africa
Virtual, 20/09/2023
Food loss and waste (FLW) reduction is an important entry point to more sustainable, resilient and equitable agrifood systems in the Near East and North Africa (NENA). Interventions to reduce FLW support adaptation to and mitigation of climate change, lower the pressure on scarce water and arable land resources, preserve and deliver nutritious food, and promote inclusive growth by preserving and adding value to agrifood products which can lead to decent jobs and income for agrifood system actors including women, youth, small-scale producers and SMEs.
14/9
2023
First Meeting of Regional Organizing Group for the Implementation of the One Country One Priority Product Initiative in Near East and North Africa
Cairo (Egypt), Virtual, 14/09/2023
The FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31, endorsed by the 42nd Session of FAO Conference in June 2021 focuses on supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
10/9
2023
13/9
2023
Twenty-sixth session of the Near East Forestry and Range Commission
Hybrid, 10/09/2023 - 13/09/2023
Date: 10 September 2023 – 13 September 2023 Place: Amman, Jordan Languages: English, French, Arabic The 26th session of the Near East Forestry and Range Commission will be held in conjunction with the third session of the COFO Working Group on Dryland