FAO champions sustainable urban transformation at World Urban Forum
©FAO/Ahmed Elsheemy
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has highlighted the urgent need for sustainable urban agrifood systems in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region at the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12). Rapid urbanization is placing immense pressure on resources, infrastructure, and food systems, prompting the FAO to advocate for transformative approaches to urban sustainability, climate resilience, and food security.
Key messages from FAO sessions at WUF12 emphasized the need for:
An integrated urban agrifood systems roadmap for NENA: This roadmap aims to address the challenges of rapid urbanization and ensure food security in the region.
Increased investment in green spaces: Green spaces are vital for bolstering biodiversity, enhancing climate resilience, and mitigating the effects of sand and dust storms (SDS).
Innovative financial mechanisms: These mechanisms are crucial for supporting the transformation of urban agrifood systems.
The FAO underscored the rapid urbanization trend in the NENA region, with nearly 60% of the population currently living in urban areas, a figure projected to reach 73% by 2050. This rapid growth places immense pressure on natural resources and food systems, making sustainable urban food systems crucial. AbdelHakim Elwaer, FAO's Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for NENA, stressed the importance of developing a shared vision and strengthening partnerships to facilitate knowledge and technology transfer, supporting resilient urban agrifood systems.
Specific FAO initiatives highlighted at WUF12 included:
An investment framework for ecosystem restoration: A collaborative initiative with the League of Arab States aims to restore ecosystems and promote sustainable development in the NENA region.
Innovative financial mechanisms for urban agrifood systems: Exploring financing methods to ensure sustainability and social integration within urban development.
Scaling climate action in Egypt: Focusing on Egypt’s SCALA action plan to strengthen climate-resilient agrifood systems, emphasizing urban-rural resilience strategies to mitigate SDS.
Transforming urban agrifood systems: Showcasing the transformative potential of urban greening and green infrastructure to reduce food loss and waste, and contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Green infrastructure to combat SDS and climate change: Highlighting the effectiveness of urban greening in stabilizing soil and enhancing resilience.
Capacity building in the water-energy-food nexus: Providing cities and NGOs with tools to implement integrated approaches.
Empowering urban spaces through parks and nature-based solutions: Emphasizing the socio-economic benefits of parks and nature-based solutions for communities.
The FAO's commitment to building resilient and food-secure cities was underscored by successful urban greening initiatives in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. The organization remains dedicated to supporting sustainable urban transformation across the NENA region through integrated, multi-stakeholder approaches focusing on climate resilience, food security, and resource efficiency.
Contact
NENA Office Communications (+20) 2 3331 6000 [email protected]