FAO Regional Technical Dialogue on Water Explores Innovative Pathways to Accelerate Agrifood Systems Transformation!

In a significant milestone towards the 37th Session of the Regional Conference for the Near East (NERC 37), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently concluded its Regional Technical Dialogue on Water, showcasing remarkable successes and advancements in sustainable water management. The event, which was held virtually on the 25th of September, brought together experts, policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders from across the region to discuss pressing water-related challenges and devise innovative solutions within the context of enhancing water use efficiency and productivity as a means of accelerating the transformation of agrifood systems in the Near East and North Africa region.

The FAO Regional Technical Dialogue on Water served as a platform for exchanging knowledge, sharing best practices, and fostering collaboration among countries facing similar water management issues. With a strong emphasis on achieving water sustainability, the event highlighted the critical role of efficient water use in ensuring food security, protecting ecosystems, and promoting economic growth. It aimed to break down the available courses of action required to accelerate agrifood systems transformation, using four related response areas:

• Facilitating the transformation of legal and institutional frameworks by promoting multi- disciplinary and cross-sectoral governance and by strengthening policy coherence.
• Advancing water and agriculture sustainability by investing in improved water efficiency and productivity tools to meet sustainable boundaries of water use towards a more resilient    economy.
• Fostering a solid & standardized knowledge base for adaptive decision-making.
• Managing sustainability within uncertainty by maintaining a climate-smart transformation.

The events included panelists from the League of Arab States, FAO, AOAD, Ministry of Agriculture Water Resources and Fisheries in Tunisia, ICARDA, GCF and RECREE.

To watch the recording of the dialogue, click FAO-RNE Regional Technical Dialogue on Water, 2023 .