Arab Agro Forum kicks off in Amman

AMMAN  — The Arab Agro Forum, which focuses on achieving food security and resilience for small and medium scale farmers in the region, kicked off on Sunday in Amman

Senate President Faisal Al Fayez inaugurated the three-day forum under the title “Arab food security in the face of challenges”. The forum is organised by the League of Arab States, in cooperation with United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and other regional partners. 

The forum aims to review challenges facing the Arab region as well as opportunities and available solutions, including the Strategy for Sustainable Arab Agricultural Development 2020-2030, the use of modern technology in Jordan’s agriculture sector and policy coordination mechanisms between the water and agriculture sectors. 

The forum will also address opportunities for climate financing, investment in sustainable agriculture and the role of the private sector in sustainable agricultural development.

“Overpopulation, wastage of agricultural resources and climate change are the main challenges facing the agricultural sector in the Arab world,” Fayez said. 

These challenges bring the food security crisis to an alarming level, which could take an unprecedented turn, he said. 

This challenge requires enhanced cooperation between nations as well as the adoption of preventative measures to confront threats to national, regional and global food security. 

Agriculture is a pillar of many Arab countries’ economies, Minister of Agriculture Khalid Hneifat said, noting that the sector “is a shared interest among Arab countries”.

Strengthening the agricultural sector is extremely important for providing food security, Awni Klob, CEO of the forum said.

“The agricultural sector was marginalised in the Arab region despite the availability of capabilities and competencies,” Klob added.