Greening agriculture, water scarcity and climate action

NENA’s restoration revolution: Investing in people and planet

by Fidaa Haddad, Senior Programme Officer, FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa - 05/12/2024

The Near East and North Africa (NENA) region faces a sobering reality: about 86 percent of its total land area suffers from degradation and desertification (FAO, 2021), threatening the livelihoods of 410 million people. As climate change continues to intensify, reducing rainfall and straining water resources, the impacts on agriculture, biodiversity, and socio-economic stability grow more dire.

FAO Assistant Director- General

Investing in the planet and its people: Synergizing initiatives for accelerated climate action at the 29th Conference of the Parties

by Abdulhakim Elwaer - 19/11/2024

As the world looks ahead to the 29th session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 22 November 2024, the call for transformative solutions in agrifood systems is stronger than ever. In this pivotal moment for climate action, two major initiatives are set to play crucial roles: the FAST Partnership (Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation)

Opinions

The Right to Food in the Maghreb and Middle East: A Critical Moment for Action

by Juan Echanove - 11/11/2024

The right to food is a fundamental human right that ensures every person has access to adequate, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs for an active and healthy life. It is not just about having enough food to survive but about having food that is appropriate, available, and accessible to everyone, without discrimination.

Technical Expertise

Strengthening urban-rural food systems through local production and food waste reduction

by Ahmad Mukhtar, FAO Senior Economist and Fidaa Haddad, Senior Programme Officer - 30/10/2024

Urbanization in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region is rapidly accelerating, bringing with it both opportunities and immense challenges. With projections showing that by 2050, 73 percent of the population will live in cities, surpassing 450 million people, food systems in the region are under extreme pressure to meet growing urban demands.

Greening agriculture, water scarcity and climate action

Leading the way: Gulf countries' efforts in mangrove restoration

by Fidaa Haddad, Senior Programme Officer, FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa - 26/07/2024

On the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, we delve into the vital importance of mangroves. These unique coastal ecosystems provide critical habitats for a myriad of marine and terrestrial wildlife.

Greening agriculture, water scarcity and climate action

Combating sand and dust storms in MENA: the role of tree plantation

by Fidaa Haddad, Senior Programme Officer, FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa - 12/07/2024

As we celebrate the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms 2024, it is crucial to delve deeper into the complexities of this issue. Sand and dust storms (SDS) are natural phenomena driven by a combination of environmental and human-induced factors.

Opinions

Leveraging Water for Peace: FAO’s Experience in Yemen

by Hussein Gadain - 03/04/2024

To leverage ‘Water for Peace,’ we urgently need to fully understand the water governance systems, how resources are extracted, used, shared and replenished. Our experience in Yemen has shown glaring gaps between policy and the ultimate use of the precious commodity. Another gap is limited funding to replicate best water management practices which have been piloted and proven effective.

FAO Assistant Director- General

Innovating today for a greener tomorrow: FAO's initiatives in the Near East and North Africa region

by Abdulhakim Elwaer - 21/03/2024

As we approach the International Day of Forests on 21st March, it's crucial to recognize the significance of forests, especially in dryland regions like the Near East and North Africa (NENA). With the region's population soaring, demands on land and water are escalating, making initiatives for greening agriculture, water scarcity, and climate action critical priorities for FAO.

Director-General

Accelerating the transformation of agrifood systems in the NENA region

by QU Dongyu, Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - 27/02/2024

The MENA region faces severe water scarcity and climate shocks. As a result, we must prioritize the adaptation to climate change, as well as mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

Technical Expertise

Success Story on collaboration

by Nouf Alayyadhi - 13/11/2023

As a follow-up to a successful workshop held in 2021, RNE-HR Team took initiative once again to organize an event in June of this year, in collaboration with various HR counterparts and the FAO Office of Emergencies and Resilience, this time to highlight the critical role of Human Resources in emergency and crisis contexts.

Opinions

COP28 in Dubai: Seizing the Opportunity to Achieve Global Food Security and Sustainable, Healthy Nutrition

by Mohamed Alaidaroos Alhashimi - 30/09/2023

As we prepare to host the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, it is crucial to underscore the significance of this global platform for advancing the sustainable development agenda in the Arab region and worldwide.

Technical Expertise

Urgent need for a Regional Strategy for Sustainable Management of Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases (TPPDs) in the Near East and North Africa

by Thaer Yaseen - 07/09/2023

The Near East and North Africa (NENA) region is challenged by the continuous threat of transboundary plant pests and diseases, the introduction and spread of which is facilitated by increased trade activities,

Partnerships & Cooperations

The Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Unit (SPRM)

by Kayan Jaff - 14/08/2023

The Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Unit (SPRM) is designed to promote a more systematic use of partnerships in the Near East and North Africa Region (NENA), and to provide practical guidance to FAO units and partners to facilitate the selection, prioritization, development and management of new or renewed partnerships.

Technical Expertise

Advancing Water Action for Food and Climate Security

by HEBA AL-HARIRY - 09/08/2023

In June 2022, FAO launched the interregional Water Scarcity Platform (iRTP-WS) as a "Centre of Excellence" that brings together experts and stakeholders from various regions, drawing on their collective knowledge, in an action and result-oriented partnership to accelerate the achievement of water, food and climate security, as well as sustainable development in the various regions.