Transformative tools monitoring and reporting food security and nutrition in the Near East and North Africa region
The establishment of national and regional food security observatories and dashboards signifies a major leap in providing the region’s countries with timely tailored data, evidence and decision-support analytics
A woman farmer in Egypt harvesting wheat and sustaining her community with every sheaf.
©FAO/Ahmed_Elsheemy
26/11/2024
Accelerating progress towards and maximizing efforts in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), requires innovative solutions that provide timely and tailored data. FAO has launched an initiative in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region to develop decision support tools as part of the Regional Food Security and Nutrition Observatory. These tools, available at both regional and country levels, are designed to assist decision-makers.
The dashboards and portals offer crucial insights into food security and nutrition, including up-to-date agricultural data, health and nutrition statistics, and trade opportunities. They are key for making timely, evidence-based decisions.
The tools incorporate the design of models, standards, and frameworks, alongside data collection, processing, and distribution. This initiative is supported by capacity building and collaborative partnerships.
Currently available tools include the Regional Food Security and Nutrition Observatory for the Mashreq Sub-region, the Agricultural Trade Map for NENA countries, and the Jordan Food Security Information System (FSIS). Upcoming tools for Morocco and Oman are nearing completion.
Advancing food security with the Mashreq Observatory
FAO Food Security and Nutrition Observatory for the Mashreq Sub-region. @FAO
The Food Security and Nutrition Mashreq Sub-Regional Observatory is a groundbreaking success in improving food security monitoring and forecasting. Using advanced machine learning algorithms, it makes complex food security data easy to understand and act upon. This tool forecasts critical indicators, providing timely alerts and strategic insights.
Updated daily, the Observatory covers key metrics such as food supply, production levels, undernourishment, anemia rates, dietary energy adequacy, and price indices.
This real-time, data-driven system is crucial for making evidence-based decisions, supporting sustainable development, and addressing food security challenges in the region. It focuses on six key areas: food security, consumption, production and trade, investment, food prices, and sustainability. By filling in missing data, it improves forecasting accuracy using advanced models like the Vector Auto Regressive Model and the XGBoost Regressor.
Unlocking trade Potential in the NENA region
Agricultural Trade Map for the NENA Region. @FAO
The Agricultural Trade Map is another transformative tool for FAO's work in the NENA region. It helps maximize regional trade potential and strengthen food security. Although these countries have historically relied on trade to meet their food needs, the map highlights untapped opportunities within regional trade networks.
This innovative tool offers valuable trade insights, providing key indicators like Revealed Comparative Advantage, Relative Trade Advantage, Export Intensity Index, and Market Rankings.
It covers over 20 product groups, including agricultural products, food items, beverages, and fertilizers.
By using the Agricultural Trade Map, NENA countries can optimize their trade strategies, enhance regional collaboration, and promote sustainable growth.
Commitment towards innovations driving food security and nutrition:
In the face of dynamic and ever-changing crises impacting food security in the NENA region, FAO’s technical innovations stand as a beacon of hope. These innovations help member countries manage multiple challenges caused by conflicts, climate change, and economic shocks. By providing proactive and tailored approaches, FAO empowers stakeholders to make informed decisions even in high-stress, low-information environments. Aligned with SDGs and the FAO’s Four Betters – better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, these online monitoring and reporting tools are crucial for achieving these objectives.
The development and implementation of these tools are integral to FAO’s Strategic Framework (2022-2031) and the Science and Innovation Strategy, which highlight the critical role of technological innovation in overcoming barriers and accelerating agrifood systems transformation.
FAO is committed to not only creating data tools that are informative and easily accessible but also ensuring that key stakeholders are trained to use them effectively. This commitment ensures that these tools are utilized to their full potential, driving progress towards sustainable development and enhanced food security for all.