FAO and DoS launch training for Mashreq Food Security and Nutrition Observatory

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), launch a four-day intensive training on the Mashreq Food Security and Nutrition Observatory.

The capacity-building activity commenced today at the Department of Statistics (DoS) in Amman, Jordan, and will run through December 18, 2025.

The Mashreq Food Security and Nutrition Observatory is a groundbreaking, regional "one-stop spot" platform designed to aggregate, visualize, and analyze critical data on food security and nutrition across the Mashreq countries. The initiative directly responds to the complex and overlapping food security threats facing the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region, which continue to be challenged by high commodity prices, inflation, and climate-induced shocks. The Observatory was created by the FAO following a proposal by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, aligning with Jordan’s National Food Security Strategy (2021–2030) and its goal of becoming a regional hub for data-driven evidence.

This intensive training is designed to build on earlier discussions and provide key regional stakeholders with a hands-on opportunity to master the platform's full capabilities. Participants will engage in simulation labs to fully engage with the Observatory’s main and advanced features, generate analytical reports, apply query functions to real-world scenarios, and learn how to continuously monitor, update datasets, and integrate information from various sources, including national statistical systems.

The Observatory features core functions vital for resilience: Regular Monitoring & Reporting, Advanced Analytics & Trend Forecasting, Early Warning & Risk Identification, and Policy Support & Adaptive Management.

Ahmad Mukhtar, Senior Economist at FAO stated, “The Observatory is a milestone in our collective effort to build a more food-secure Mashreq region. By bringing together data, analytics, and regional expertise, it will support governments in steering policies that are both timely and forward-looking.”

“The Observatory offers a practical framework for standardizing, validating, and sharing food security and nutrition data across countries,” said Haidar Fraihat, Director General of Jordan’s Department of Statistics. “This training focuses on how official statistics can be systematically integrated, updated, and used with confidence at the regional level.”

The training will equip attendees with the ability to use data-driven evidence to effectively shape food security and nutrition policies, ensuring the Observatory serves as a long-term, living resource for the region.