FAO and member countries renew commitment to controlling desert locust in the Central Region during executive committee meeting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and member countries have renewed their commitment to controlling the desert locust in the Central Region through continuous cooperation and joint initiatives while improving operational mechanisms.

This came during the 33rd Session and the 37th Executive Committee Meeting held by the Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region in Kuwait City, Kuwait, from November 24 to 28, 2024.

“Controlling the desert locust is not the responsibility of a single country; rather, it is a collective task that necessitates effective cooperation and continuous coordination among all stakeholders. Our experience within the Commission has demonstrated that joint action allows us to achieve significant and impactful results,” stated Mamoun Al-Alawi, the Executive Secretary of the Commission.

This session will bring together representatives from 17 member countries of the Commission, along with stakeholders, experts, and representatives from regional locust control commissions and organizations.

“This meeting presents an important opportunity to discuss the challenges we face in combating the desert locust and to reaffirm our collective commitment to enhancing regional and international cooperation in this area. We aim to unify efforts among Member States, donor organizations, and international agencies and work towards a coordinated and effective response to protect agricultural production and food security across the region,” stated Al-Alawi.

This periodic meeting also serves as a strategic platform to review accomplishments, assess joint efforts, and outline the future path to address this pest that poses a threat to the food security of millions of people. The agenda includes several key aspects covering technical, administrative, and financial issues.

Technical discussions will focus on the current desert locust situation and outbreaks from 2022 to 2024. Participants will review the activities of the Commission and member countries during this period, exploring ways to enhance responses to locust outbreaks and potential upsurges. Discussions will include presentations on the commission's projects, capacity building, research, and development efforts, and exploring innovative technologies and innovations such as the use of drones in survey and control activities.

The meeting will also address administrative and financial discussions, including a review of the commission's accounts from 2022 to 2024 and the status of the trust fund and emergency fund, with a forward-looking plan for the commission's work plan and budget for the next two years.

A report from the current commission chairperson will also be presented covering his two-year term (2022-2024). During this session, a new chairperson and vice chairperson will be elected for the next two years, in line with established procedures.

The meeting will be open to discussing current issues raised by member countries or stakeholders. It is hoped that recommendations will be agreed upon during the thirty-third session.

This conference is pivotal, especially with increasing regional challenges, as well as the exacerbating effects of climate change and environmental conditions on the increased frequency of desert locust outbreaks and their growing threats to agricultural production and food security across the region.

The Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region of FAO was established in February 1967 as a regional organization concerned with managing desert locusts in the Middle East region and the Horn of Africa. It includes 17 member countries and is considered the largest desert locust control organization affiliated with FAO.