WFP: Egypt Could Play Pivotal Role in Supporting Regional Food Security

Corinne Fletcher, Regional Director of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) said that Egypt could play a pivotal role in the region, by sharing its successful experience in achieving food security, pointing to the possibility of working to support it as a regional platform for knowledge exchange and better practices to achieve food security and address malnutrition in the countries of the region.

This came during her meeting with Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on the sidelines of the fourth session of the World Youth Forum (WYF).

Fletcher praised what Egypt's development track, in which it focused on supporting the human being  through initiatives such as "Decent life" and "Decent Housing", which in particular strengthened the relations of cooperation between Egypt and the program, and maximized the benefit, capabilities and expertise between the two parties, which was reflected significantly in the increase in the income of small farmers, women empowerment, and the increase in children's enrollment in schools.

She pointed out that the current situation in the region increases the WFP's fears of more people standing on the brink of famine, however, the situation in Egypt gives it hope in light of the comprehensive development approach adopted by the state, and the pivotal role that Egypt can play to support issues of Food security and reducing the risk of famine in the region.

On his part, Madbouly affirmed Egypt's firm stance on supporting the region to overcome these ordeals, and its keenness to support any initiatives that would support countries that suffer from food shortages, and to send humanitarian and relief aid to them.

The Prime Minister welcomed the cooperation with the program in supporting the presidential initiative,  decent life, pointing out that he met with many representatives of international bodies, organizations and development partners to invite them to participate in this unprecedented development program, which aims to improve the lives of more than half of the Egyptian population.

He also welcomed the UN program's desire to expand the rural development support program to include 500 villages, stressing the government's readiness to provide all possible means of support.