FAO launches regional initiative to strengthen cooperative ecosystems for agrifood systems transformation in the NENA region

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE), convened the first virtual meeting of 2026 of the Strategic Dialogue on Cooperative Development Network, bringing together ministerial representatives, cooperative leaders, colleagues from FAO country offices, regional, and  headquarters teams, and partners from the International Cooperative Alliance. The meeting marked the official launch of the regional initiative “Building Resilient, Inclusive and Business-Oriented Cooperative Ecosystems for Agrifood Systems Transformation in the NENA Region”. The initiative builds on the Strategic Dialogue held in Casablanca in January 2025and aims to translate the shared regional vision and roadmap into concrete and coordinated action at country level.

Across interventions, speakers emphasized that agrifood systems in the NENA region face interconnected challenges — ranging from climate change, water scarcity, and high production costs to limited access to finance, conflict, and protracted crises — that call for collective, locally grounded solutions. Small‑scale producers, women, and youth were consistently identified as both those most affected by these challenges and those with the greatest potential to drive positive change when adequately supported.

FAO reiterated its long‑standing recognition of cooperatives and other forms of collective action as essential actors in agrifood systems transformation — capable of pooling resources, improving access to markets and services, strengthening resilience, and fostering social cohesion. ICA partners from Africa and Asia‑Pacific reinforced this message, underlining that effective transformation depends on institutions that are rooted in communities, business‑oriented, professionally managed, and inclusive in leadership and decision‑making. Learning across regions and combining policy dialogue with practical experience were highlighted as key accelerators of innovation.

The event explored how the regional initiative will play a catalytic role by supporting countries through legislative and policy guidance to strengthen enabling environments; capacity development to enhance cooperative leadership and business performance; and knowledge exchange and partnerships to promote innovation and inclusive digitalization, and regional and interregional learning, while remaining aligned with national priorities.

Country, subregional, regional, and global perspectives converged on the importance of alignment and complementarity. Government representatives from Morocco, Jordan, and Lebanon shared recent advances in cooperative legislation, policies, and institutional reforms, highlighting how regional dialogue and mutual learning can reinforce national processes. FAO country‑level experience from Lebanon further demonstrated how integrating collective action across programmes — from value chains and food security to water governance, fisheries, agroforestry and rural finance — creates coherence, sustainability, and scale.

Gender equality and youth empowerment emerged as cross‑cutting priorities throughout the event. Speakers highlighted the strong alignment of the initiative with global commitments, including the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives, the 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer, and broader efforts to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment through collective action. It was emphasized that inclusion must go beyond participation, positioning women and youth as leaders, entrepreneurs, and economic actors within cooperative ecosystems.

“Cooperatives are not only social structures—they are viable economic enterprises that can drive inclusive and resilient agrifood systems transformation across the region. This initiative is about turning our shared vision into tangible results on the ground,” said Abdulhakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa (NENA).

“This dialogue reflects our commitment to supporting countries with practical solutions and stronger partnerships, ensuring that cooperative development responds to real needs on the ground,” said Faten Adada, Agriculture and Rural Development Expert and day-to-day manager of the Rural Transformation Team at FAO RNE.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to working together to ensure that the initiative delivers concrete and sustainable impact, supporting countries across the NENA region in building stronger, more inclusive and business-oriented cooperative ecosystems.