The
worsening of the food security situation in the Near-East is not only
caused by the structural constraints the region faces in producing
enough food and an increasing dependence on food imports, but also by
conflict, the flow of refugees and migration.
José Graziano da Silva, director general, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), said this while inaugurating the two-day ministerial segment of the United Nations’ agency’s regional conference for the Near-East, which commenced on Friday.
He added that these issues were not contained by national borders, but affected the region as a whole and had repercussions far beyond as well. “We know there are intrinsic links between peace and food security, and between hunger and conflict,” da Silva stated.
“We have seen how dispute for food and over resources such as land and water have triggered conflict. Peace is fundamental to food security, and food security is fundamental for keeping peace,” he added.
MDG hunger target
“The Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target is still within reach at the global scale and in the Near-East and North Africa, but a final push in the last 672 days before the deadline is needed,” da Silva told the conference.
Algeria, Djibouti, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco and Turkmenistan are among countries that have already met the first MDG target to reduce by half the proportion of hungry people between 1990 and 2015.
In addition, Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates already had under-nourishment levels below five per cent in 1990, the baseline for the MDG.
FAO regional initiatives
Da Silva called on countries to support the implementation of the three regional initiatives launched by FAO for the Near-East and North Africa in response to priorities identified by member states - the Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity; the Regional Initiative on Building Resilience to Enhance Food Security and Nutrition, and the Regional Initiative on Small-scale Agriculture and Inclusive Rural Development.
Noting that 2014 is the International Year of Family Farming, he encouraged countries to increase support to family farmers in the region by ensuring access to adequate technologies, financial services, markets and natural resources such as land and water.
He also encouraged countries to participate in discussions on the Committee on World Food Security’s proposed Principles for Responsible Agricultural Investments, which would help to ensure that investments contribute to the development of family farmers.
Funding major constraint
“During the period 2012-2013, $100 million was mobilised to support FAO’s work at national level, in particular in countries affected by conflict and emergencies,” FAO’s director general said..
“However, funding still remains a major constraint to scaling up FAO’s work at country level in the region,” he added, calling on higher-income countries in the region to step up their support.
Da Silva said he hoped other countries would follow the good example of regional cooperation set by the government of Iraq, whose contribution will help kick-start a Regional Solidarity Trust Fund.
“A region-wide strategy and funding to support food security in Yemen is of particular importance,” he said.
José Graziano da Silva, director general, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), said this while inaugurating the two-day ministerial segment of the United Nations’ agency’s regional conference for the Near-East, which commenced on Friday.
He added that these issues were not contained by national borders, but affected the region as a whole and had repercussions far beyond as well. “We know there are intrinsic links between peace and food security, and between hunger and conflict,” da Silva stated.
“We have seen how dispute for food and over resources such as land and water have triggered conflict. Peace is fundamental to food security, and food security is fundamental for keeping peace,” he added.
MDG hunger target
“The Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target is still within reach at the global scale and in the Near-East and North Africa, but a final push in the last 672 days before the deadline is needed,” da Silva told the conference.
Algeria, Djibouti, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco and Turkmenistan are among countries that have already met the first MDG target to reduce by half the proportion of hungry people between 1990 and 2015.
In addition, Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates already had under-nourishment levels below five per cent in 1990, the baseline for the MDG.
FAO regional initiatives
Da Silva called on countries to support the implementation of the three regional initiatives launched by FAO for the Near-East and North Africa in response to priorities identified by member states - the Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity; the Regional Initiative on Building Resilience to Enhance Food Security and Nutrition, and the Regional Initiative on Small-scale Agriculture and Inclusive Rural Development.
Noting that 2014 is the International Year of Family Farming, he encouraged countries to increase support to family farmers in the region by ensuring access to adequate technologies, financial services, markets and natural resources such as land and water.
He also encouraged countries to participate in discussions on the Committee on World Food Security’s proposed Principles for Responsible Agricultural Investments, which would help to ensure that investments contribute to the development of family farmers.
Funding major constraint
“During the period 2012-2013, $100 million was mobilised to support FAO’s work at national level, in particular in countries affected by conflict and emergencies,” FAO’s director general said..
“However, funding still remains a major constraint to scaling up FAO’s work at country level in the region,” he added, calling on higher-income countries in the region to step up their support.
Da Silva said he hoped other countries would follow the good example of regional cooperation set by the government of Iraq, whose contribution will help kick-start a Regional Solidarity Trust Fund.
“A region-wide strategy and funding to support food security in Yemen is of particular importance,” he said.
Special attention is needed to improve amenities in NE states.
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