FAO at the 2024 Arab Forum for Sustainable Development
Hybrid Event, 05/03/2024 - 07/03/2024
©FAO/Mazen Haffar
The Arab Forum on Sustainable Development (AFSD) is an annual, inclusive intergovernmental forum to assess progress and exchange knowledge, best practices, and policy solutions to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in line with regional priorities.
Taking place from 5 - 7 March 2024, and organized by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the Forum provided space for an in-depth review of the Goals to be reviewed by the HLPF in 2024: SDG 1 (no poverty); SDG 2 (zero hunger); SDG 13 (climate action); SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions); and SDG 17 (partnership for the Goals). The Forum also supported the presentation of voluntary national reviews (VNRs) at the 2024 HLPF.
FAO participation at the 2024 Arab Forum for Sustainable Development
Tuesday 5 March | 11:00-12:30 (GMT+2)
High-level dialogue: A more equal and sustainable world? Chasing the promise of digital technologies
FAO, represented by Nora Ourabah Haddad, FAO Representative in Lebanon, participated in the 2024 Arab Forum for Sustainable Development high-level dialogue on ''A more equal and sustainable world? Chasing the promise of digital technologies".
LINKS: REWATCH | EVENT WEBSITE | READ THE FULL FAO STATEMENT
Wednesday 6 MARCH | 14:30-16:00 (GMT+2)
Plenary Session 3: Eradicating poverty in times of crisis (SDG 1)
FAO, represented by Natalia Galat, Senior Technical Officer, Office of SDGs, participated in the 2024 Arab Forum on Sustainable Development plenary session on ''Eradicating poverty in times of crisis (SDG 1)".
LINKS: Rewatch | EVENT WEBSITE
Wednesday 6 March
UN Food Systems Coordination Hub: Regional Meeting for Near East and North Africa
The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), convened Food Systems National Convenors and other experts from across the Arab region to assess the progress made in transforming food systems, facilitate regional knowledge sharing, and identify emerging patterns and solutions. A summary report from the meeting will be produced, that will include the shared outcomes among participating countries and stakeholders to strengthen their collaborative efforts in the transformation of food systems.
LINKS: EVENT WEBSITE
THURSDAY 7 MARCH | 09:30-11:00 (GMT+2)
Plenary Session 4: Food system transformations in a polycrisis environment (SDG 2)
FAO, represented by Natalia Galat, Senior Technical Officer, Office of SDGs, participated in the 2024 Arab Forum on Sustainable Development plenary session on ''Food system transformations in a polycrisis environment (SDG 2)".
LINKS: Rewatch | EVENT WEBSITE
Thursday 7 March | 11:15-12:45 (GMT+2)
Special Session: Food for Thought: Unpacking UNFSS+2 Outcomes in the Arab Region and Charting the Action Plan for Resilient Food Systems Transformations
The UNFSS+2 Secretary-General's report highlights the transformative potential of food systems and urges integrated strategies for accelerated progress towards the SDGs. With 126 national pathways and 155 National Food Systems Convenors guiding reforms globally, leaders are called to prioritize implementing future food systems in six key areas.
This Special Session provided an overview of UNFSS+2 outcomes, their relevance to the Arab region and their impact on SDGs implementation. Through a roundtable discussion involving member states, the private sector, civil society, and regional organizations, the session formulated region-specific recommendations, aligning UNFSS+2 momentum with local priorities.
LINKS: EVENT WEBSITE |Rewatch
Thursday 7 MARCH | 13:45-15:15 (GMT+2)
Plenary Session 5: Building climate resilience in a polycrisis environment (SDG 13)
FAO, represented by Natalia Galat, Senior Technical Officer, Office of SDGs, delivered an official FAO Statement in the 2024 Arab Forum on Sustainable Development plenary session on ''Building climate resilience in a polycrisis environment (SDG 13)".
LINKS: Rewatch| Event Website | READ THE FULL FAO STATEMENT