Countries of the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region face numerous common challenges to achieving improved food security, nutrition and inclusive agricultural development. Recent conflicts and civil instability in some countries of the region, as well as rapid population growth, low growth in agricultural productivity, scarce and fragile natural resources and the threat of climate change, have been compounding the situation, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned today.

In response, FAO has embarked to organize a regional consultative technical meeting in Cairo for two days gathering senior officials from countries across the Near East and North Africa region, Permanent Representatives to FAO, and partners to address current and emerging regional trends and challenges.

Trends in various indicators of food security and nutrition in the region will be analyzed and discussed with a view to draw out lessons learned and best practices that can be used to respond to shared challenges.