Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia are the countries that constitute the sub region of North Africa. In 1989, these countries have signed and ratified the treaty of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), committing therefore, to address the common challenges together of developing and creating an integrated homogeneous economic area. Agriculture constitutes one of the fundamental pillars of the economy of the sub regional countries. This sector contributes with over 15% to the overall added value, and provides work for over 35% of the active population. The different natural resources available in the five countries constitute a potential to capitalize in the regional cooperation context.

While sharing some social-cultural aspects with other countries of the Near East, these countries form a distinct entity geographically and, in a certain way, historically as well. These five countries are grouped in the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), constituted in 1989 with the main objectives of the adoption of common policies in all areas and free movement of persons, services, goods and capitals between the Member States. Perfect match between the member states of SNE and AMU, who signed a cooperation agreement with FAO in 2003, is a facilitating element for FAO actions in this sub region.

Through its variety of activities and sub regional projects, the Subregional Office for North Africa plays an important role in bringing together the institutions of the sub regional countries and consolidating the cooperation relationships, sharing experiences in the agricultural development sector and the natural resources management between the five Maghreb countries.