FAO Near East Conference calls for Gaza ceasefire, aid delivery

The conference's final statement, a copy of which was sent to The Jordan Times, voiced "profound concerns over the worsening humanitarian conditions, the forced displacement of Gaza Strip residents, and the weaponisation of food, water, and energy in the war".

The statement also "strongly condemned the hindrance of humanitarian assistance and the consequent devastation of the agricultural sector, livelihoods, and infrastructure, resulting in critical food insecurity and famine risks".

Held in Amman, on March 4 and 5, the session's participants expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza, who face an unprecedented situation due to the war in Gaza and conflicts in other countries, the statement said. 

Ministers and heads of delegations from the Near East and North Africa region attending the conference emphasized the importance of fostering peace in a region already beset by deteriorating security conditions and resultant severe crises in food security and nutrition, particularly in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon.

NERC37 saw the participation of 335 attendees, including ministers, deputy ministers, and senior officials from ministries of agriculture, water, environment and health from 23 countries, including 21 regional members.

The final statement also voiced deep concern over the escalating rates of hunger, acute food insecurity, and malnutrition in the region, as highlighted in the recently published FAO’s Regional Overview of Food Security in the Near East and North Africa report. 

“These troubling conditions underscore structural vulnerabilities in the region, compounded by significant challenges arising from wars, conflicts, social unrest, high reliance on imported food, financial and economic crises, resulting in food price inflation, among other obstacles. Furthermore, the challenges posed by climate change, water scarcity, soil erosion, and erratic weather patterns exacerbate the decline in agricultural productivity,” according to the statement. 

The statement underscored the imperative to continue supporting member states in addressing water scarcity, drought, and desertification, and adopting integrated and sustainable approaches to water management and utilisation of non-conventional water resources. 

It also stressed the need to accelerate the transformation of agricultural food systems in the region to enhance efficiency, inclusivity, sustainability and resilience, thereby addressing current and future challenges and advancing progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.