On the sidelines of the AFSD-2021, ESCWA and the Regional Office of FAO jointly organized on 29 March an Arab regional dialogue on the Food Systems Summit, scheduled to be held in September 2021.
In her statement, ESCWA Executive Secretary Rola Dashti said that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the fragility of food systems, with 50 million people suffering from undernutrition, and a third of women of childbearing age suffering from anemia. She added that food security in the region was weak due to factors including poverty, unemployment, occupation and conflict. Limited food production due to water and arable land scarcity, and the rise in food spending also contributed to worsen the situation.
Participants discussed regional perspectives and experiences related to pathways and actions for equitable and sustainable food systems, and to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Related session
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6 Apr 2021
Arab Dialogue on Food Systems
