Arab League Hosts Fourth Regional Meeting on Food Systems Transformation

The League of Arab States is hosting the fourth regional meeting on food systems transformation on May 6–7 at its General Secretariat headquarters, as countries across the region mounting food security challenges.

The meeting is organized by the league’s economic affairs sector in partnership with the U.N. Food Systems Coordination Hub, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), with participation from several U.N. agencies including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The gathering builds on global efforts launched since the 2021 U.N. Food Systems Summit to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals through integrated food systems approaches. It aims to promote knowledge exchange, strengthen regional and international cooperation, and mobilize investment by aligning national priorities with available financing opportunities.

Ambassador Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Maliki, head of the economic affairs sector, said this is the first time the Arab League hosts the meeting, noting regional challenges, including disruptions to global supply chains. He added that Gulf countries’ role as major fertilizer producers has significant implications for global food security.

Officials expect the meeting to produce a regional framework document on food systems transformation in Arab countries, alongside new partnerships and initiatives in financing, innovation and policy.