The United Arab Emirates will lead the 38th session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Conference for the Near East, hosting the anticipated ministerial meeting on April 21 in the city of Al Ain. This prominent regional event is gaining extraordinary momentum, as it coincides with the second edition of the “Emirates Agricultural Conference and Exhibition,” underscoring the country’s pivotal role in spearheading regional efforts towards sustainable agricultural and food systems.
This announcement was made during the launch of the preparatory meeting for senior officials. This meeting serves as a critical stage for establishing technical foundations and policies, as well as discussing existing challenges to formulate recommendations that will be presented and approved during the ministerial meeting in the UAE.
This year’s session will be held under the theme “Innovation for Transforming Agricultural and Food Systems,” providing a platform for member states to coordinate common priorities and enhance regional cooperation for the upcoming two years.
The preparatory meeting for senior officials was chaired by Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and featured over 200 representatives from various countries in the Near East and North Africa.
This senior officials’ meeting is a key preparatory step for the upcoming ministerial conference, offering a strategic platform for discussing challenges, identifying regional priorities, and crafting actionable recommendations. Discussions focused on vital areas such as enhancing supply chains, diversifying food sources, improving logistics, and leveraging innovative solutions. The outcomes of this meeting are expected to guide the upcoming ministerial decisions in Al Ain, fostering collaboration and supporting the transformation towards sustainable agricultural and food systems that bolster regional food security.
Coordinated and Swift Response
Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi stated, “Today we meet at a time of significant changes that require us to undertake exceptional efforts to address unprecedented challenges impacting our region and food supply chains, which exacerbate climate-related issues, water scarcity, and land shortages facing our agricultural systems. The current geopolitical situation imposes additional pressures that necessitate a coordinated and rapid response. We value the FAO’s pivotal role in unifying and directing regional efforts to protect and sustain food security systems. The UAE, guided by its visionary leadership, reaffirms its steadfast commitment to advancing agricultural sustainability plans, and will always remain an innovative leader in utilizing advanced technology and innovation to empower this vital sector and overcome challenges.”
He added, “By chairing this regional conference, we aim to lead efforts to advance innovative solutions and deepen constructive cooperation frameworks with the FAO and all participating regional countries facing similar challenges. We firmly believe that joint action and knowledge sharing are the only ways to build resilient and inclusive agricultural systems that ensure food security and meet our populations’ aspirations for a more sustainable future. Sustaining these systems provides us with the flexibility to overcome the diverse changes faced by the region, making sustainable food security one of the essential pillars of stability and growth.”
In his remarks, Abdessalam Bouhdaoui, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, emphasized the importance of intensifying coordinated efforts to enhance the resilience of agricultural and food systems in the region against intertwined pressures, including climate change, water scarcity, economic volatility, and conflicts.
He stated: “The Near East and North Africa stand at a critical crossroads, where overlapping crises impose unprecedented pressures on agricultural and food systems. The rising frequency of climate shocks, severe water scarcity, geopolitical tensions, and economic instability not only disrupt supply chains but also undermine national food security and the livelihoods of millions. Coordinated and urgent political action is no longer an option; it is a necessity.”
The Assistant Director-General further added, “While the challenges we face are significant, our collective capacity to address them is equally vital. Together, we will work to build agricultural and food systems that meet the needs of populations, communities, and future generations.”
Food Security Pressures
Food insecurity continues to be a serious concern across the region. According to the FAO’s report, “Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition in the Near East and North Africa 2025,” approximately 77.5 million people, or 15.8 percent of the population, experienced hunger in 2024, while four in ten individuals encountered moderate or severe levels of food insecurity. Millions continue to face acute food insecurity, with many unable to afford a healthy diet, reflecting the ongoing challenges in the region.
Many countries in the region rely heavily on food imports, increasing their vulnerability to global market fluctuations and price volatility, especially as these challenges are exacerbated by limited natural resources. The Near East and North Africa is the most water-scarce region in the world, with the agricultural sector consuming around 85 percent of freshwater resources withdrawn, according to the regional water scarcity initiative. Climate change, droughts, land degradation, and desertification continue to threaten productivity and rural livelihoods.
Simultaneously, inefficiencies in agricultural and food systems, particularly food loss and waste, remain significant challenges. Globally, up to one-third of produced food is lost or wasted, which depletes resources and squanders valuable opportunities to enhance food availability and improve system efficiency.
Innovative Solutions and Collaboration
Despite these challenges, countries in the region are continuing their efforts to improve water resource management, promote climate-resilient agriculture, and rehabilitate degraded ecosystems.
Innovations and digital technologies are creating new opportunities to modernize agricultural and food systems, enhance productivity, and support more efficient decision-making.
Ensuring that the transformation of agricultural and food systems is inclusive remains crucial, as women and youth are active players and key drivers in these systems, despite ongoing structural barriers that impede their access to resources, financing, technology, and markets.
The senior officials’ meeting provides an important platform for members to review progress, exchange experiences and knowledge, and set regional priorities. The outcomes will help guide the ministerial meeting’s work and coordinate regional efforts.
In this context, the FAO has reiterated its commitment to supporting members through its revised strategic framework for 2021-2030, promoting a transformation of agricultural and food systems towards greater efficiency, inclusiveness, sustainability, and resilience.