FAO Senior Officers’ Meeting strengthens regional commitment to sustainable agrifood systems

Al-Ain/Cairo, Egypt - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concluded the Senior Officers’ Preparatory Meeting of the 38th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for the Near East (NERC 38) with a renewed commitment to advancing resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems across the region.

Chaired by Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates, the meeting brought together senior government representatives, development partners, and regional stakeholders to address the pressing challenges facing the Near East and North Africa.

The meeting marked the start of the 38th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for the Near East (NERC38), FAO’s highest statutory governing body in the region, and set the technical and policy foundation for the Ministerial Segment, which will be chaired by the United Arab Emirates.

Held under the theme “Innovating for transforming agrifood systems,” the Conference provided a platform for Members to advance shared priorities and strengthen regional cooperation for the next biennium.

Over three days of discussions, participants highlighted the complex and interconnected challenges affecting the region, including food insecurity, economic pressures, climate variability, water scarcity, land degradation, and the pressures on natural resources. Fragile and conflict-affected contexts were also emphasized as requiring adaptive and resilient approaches.
Despite these challenges, the meeting underscored significant opportunities to transform agrifood systems to strengthen rural livelihoods, enhance access to markets and services, improve agrifood value chains, and foster innovation through circular and bioeconomy approaches.

The discussions were held at a critical and timely moment, with Members noting with concern that the current situation in the Middle East is placing additional pressure on agrifood systems and global supply chains. Members underscored access to adequate food as a fundamental human right and highlighted potential impacts on food security, trade flows and supply chain stability, particularly for import-dependent countries.

Participants also stressed the importance of sustainable water management, ecosystem restoration, and climate-resilient agriculture, with strong emphasis on empowering women and youth as key drivers of innovation and equitable growth. Discussions also highlighted the critical role of investment, partnerships, and strategic foresight in translating policies into tangible results.

In his closing remarks, Abdulhakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, said that “the discussions have demonstrated both the scale of the challenges we face and the strength of our collective capacity to address them. By working together, through innovation, partnership, and shared responsibility, we can build agrifood systems that are more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable for generations to come.”

In his capacity as Chair, H.E. Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi highlighted the importance of regional collaboration and forward-looking action, mentioning that “this meeting has reaffirmed the importance of cooperation, innovation, and strategic investment in transforming agrifood systems across our region. By aligning our efforts and empowering communities, we can ensure a more sustainable and food-secure future,” he said.

The outcomes and recommendations from the Senior Officers’ Meeting will inform the Ministerial segment of the Regional Conference, providing a strong foundation for policy dialogue and regional action.