PM announces launch of Regional Food Security Observatory in Jordan

AMMAN — Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh on Monday announced the launch of the Regional Food Security Observatory for the region.

The decision to establish the observatory followed a meeting between His Majesty King Abdullah and FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu during his official visit to Jordan on November in 2022.

The launch was made during 37th session of the Regional Conference for the Near East and North Africa of the FAO, held in Amman on Monday.

The Prime Minister stressed the urgency of shifting to more efficient and inclusive food systems in the region to meet the growing population's demand for healthy and safe food, given the challenges of water scarcity, climate change, refugee crises and conflicts.

Acknowledging Jordan's significant role as the "second-highest" host of refugees globally, with approximately 81 per cent residing outside refugee camps, Khasawneh outlined the considerable strain on land, water resources, health services, education, and employment opportunities. 

He emphasised the country’s commitment to building flexible and innovative strategies to enhance adaptability and resilience, including the optimal utilisation of natural and human resources, adoption of modern agricultural technology, and the use of appropriate tools to address these challenges comprehensively.

Khasawneh emphasized the comprehensive approach taken by Jordan, encompassing the agricultural sector, food industries, transportation, supply chains, labour, energy, water, women’s empowerment, gender equality in agriculture, job creation, and the enhancement of rural product quality.

Khasawneh stressed that effective management of food loss and waste could alleviate hunger for millions suffering from food shortages.

Minister of Agriculture Khalid Hneifat announced that Jordan has been chosen as the center for the Regional Food Security Observatory for the countries of the Mashriq region, Near East and North Africa (NENA).

He said that the observatory aims to provide analytical information, insightful reports, fundamental predictions and alerts on key indicators such as food security.

The minister explained that the platform would enable policymakers and strategists in the region to reshape policies and strategies related to addressing food security challenges based on international dynamics related to production prices, transportation, food availability and food prices.

Hneifat said that the observatory will rely on diverse data inputs, including data from the FAO, standard economic models, artificial intelligence techniques, and machine learning.

He said that the observatory includes a main information board for the Mashriq region, a food trade map in the Middle East and North Africa, and information boards at the country level, each tailored to specific challenges and needs.