Abstract:

The purpose of this paper is to identify key strategic priorities for food and agriculture in the region for the next ten years, and how FAO can best support countries in addressing these priorities in the context of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. In this regard, the process is intended to provide substantive inputs ahead of the 35th FAO Regional Conference for the Near East and North Africa in March 2020, particularly in the identification of the region’s challenges and priority areas of work for FAO.  The process helps bridging country demands and global issues under a regional umbrella, focusing on challenges best tackled at regional level; ensures that regional specificities are clearly reflected in FAO’s work on priority issues such as nutrition, climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals; and provides a good basis for FAO to develop partnerships and facilitate resource mobilization. This report focuses on the priorities for food and agriculture over the period 2020-2030 in the Near East and North Africa (NENA)1 region.