Cairo: The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Municipality, participated in a regional conference focused on enhancing the resilience and sustainability of agri-food systems in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions. The conference, titled "Integrating Evidence-Based Nexus Policies to Enhance the Resilience and Sustainability of Agri-Food Systems," was organized by the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD) in cooperation with the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Montpellier (CIHEAM-IAMM) and the Agricultural Research Center of Egypt. The event concluded after three days of discussions in Cairo, Egypt.
According to Qatar News Agency, the conference aimed to develop practical programs to improve agricultural communities' livelihoods and bolster food security amidst global economic fluctuations, climate change, and geopolitical challenges impacting food, water, and energy security in the region. Hamad Saket Al Shammari, Director of the Agricultural Research Department at the Ministry of Municipality, represented Qatar.
Professor Ibrahim Adam Ahmed Al Dukhairi, Director General of the AOAD, emphasized the conference's significance in supporting the transformation of agricultural and food systems facing substantial challenges in the Arab region. These challenges include climate issues, regional instability, and global economic changes, which threaten food security. The conference concentrated on the interconnection between energy, water, food, and the environment to enhance system resilience and sustainability.
Al Dukhairi praised Qatar's contributions to the AOAD's objectives and its active participation in the conference. He highlighted Qatar's vital role, noting its engagement in reviewing efforts to strengthen agricultural and food system resilience. Al Dukhairi expressed optimism that through collaboration with Arab member states, the organization could tackle challenges in agricultural systems, support food security, and promote environmental conservation to achieve sustainable Arab food security.
The conference featured sessions on the AOAD's strategy for integrating agricultural, water, and energy policies, alongside national framework field experiences. Workshops focused on local innovation, technical education, and enhancing cooperatives and rural communities' roles in ecological agriculture. The event also launched the "Council of Wise Men," a regional initiative to provide strategic advice and formulate a roadmap for joint action.