FAO hosts a workshop on sustainable agrifood Systems in the Near East and North Africa region

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is hosting the regional workshop “One Country One Priority Product (OCOP)” for the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region in Cairo, Egypt for two days. This event aims to bring together representatives from ten OCOP countries to review progress, exchange best practices and explore opportunities to strengthen food systems through sustainable and inclusive approaches.

Launched in September 2021, the OCOP initiative promotes the development of Special Agricultural Products (SAPs) through environmentally sustainable food systems. By optimizing agricultural production, reducing waste, and increasing smallholder farmer incomes, the initiative contributes to the broader goal of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The OCOP focuses on diversification, unlocking the untapped potential of agricultural products, and identifying and addressing gaps in the value chain.

To date ten countries in RNE have implemented OCOP activities. Egypt and Iraq first implemented OCOP activities as ‘demonstration countries’; followed by Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen with TCP funding in April 2023.This regional workshop will focus on sharing results, learning from each other’s experiences, and building collaborative efforts for sustainable agrifood value chains.

“We work hand-in-hand with partners spanning governments, international organizations, non-state actors, civil society, the private sector, and many others. Collective action and shared responsibility are fundamental to our approach,” highlighted Abdulhakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, in his opening remarks.

May Hani, FAO Senior Programme Officer for the NENA region emphasized, “This workshop is a critical opportunity for stakeholders in the NENA region to join forces and create sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agrifood systems. By prioritizing local products, we can empower smallholder farmers and drive economic growth.”

During the event, experts and representatives from the ten OCOP countries will have the chance to present their SAPs and discuss the future implementation of the initiative and opportunities for scaling up successful projects. Representatives from key funding bodies will also share insights on potential financial support for scaling OCOP activities and driving long-term impact.

“With such high interest in the initiative and expectations from the Member States, FAO - RNE has been fully committed to the implementation of OCOP in the region. Our goal is to ensure that these efforts translate into tangible benefits for smallholder farmers and the broader community,” Ayman Omer, FAO Senior Field Programme Officer for the NENA region stated.

A poster exhibition will be featured, where countries will showcase their selected SAPs and highlight successful case studies, demonstrating the potential of these products to drive economic growth and sustainable development. These stories will underline how farmers have benefited from improved farming techniques, access to regional markets, and better value chain integration.

The FAO Regional Workshop on OCOP is part of the organization’s broader commitment to advancing sustainable development and contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.