The cold chain (pre-cooling, refrigerated storage, refrigerated transport, refrigerated display) is a critical component of the food industry, being the most important technique to preserve foods. The lack of an adequate development and use of the cold chain is the cause of significant quantitative and qualitative food losses and waste.

The cold chain in the Near East Region (RNE) is not adequately developed nor adequately used and this has very negative consequences on food availability, quality and safety, and food security.

The cold chain issue has been raised as a very important requirement in RNE through diverse consultation with stakeholders in the private and the public sectors in the region.

The need for cold chain capacity building of efficient cold chain for foods of different sectors in horticulture, meat, dairy and fish industry is critical in order to save the production and increase food availability in the region. Cold chain building capacity should aim to develop linkages of public-private sectors and encourage business building in the cold chain sector.

Following the recommendations made during the recent FAO Expert Consultation Meeting in Cairo in July 2011 and the Regional Agro industry Forum (RAIF) held in Beirut in November 2011, a training of trainers on the cold chain in the food sector will be held in Agadir, Morocco during the period of 28 to 31 May 2012, in collaboration with the IAV Hassan II.