By : JD
Jordan Daily – Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh opened a regional conference on Monday to boost food security and sustainable agriculture in the Near East and North Africa, amid growing challenges from climate change, water scarcity and population growth.
The 37th session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Conference for the Near East, held in Amman, brought together 30 ministers and representatives from 19 international organizations, as well as remote participants and observers.
Khasawneh said the conference is a timely opportunity to devise strategies that enhance self-reliance and cooperation among countries in the region to ensure food security and nutrition for their people.
He urged a shift towards more efficient and comprehensive food systems that address issues of food availability, access, stability and utilization, while improving the livelihoods of smallholder producers and rural communities.
He also stressed the need for innovation and digital technology in the agricultural sector, which he said was lagging behind in adopting modern solutions for sustainable development.
“We in Jordan are committed to a thorough revamp of our agricultural sector and food systems,” Khasawneh said. “Our goal is to develop sustainable markets and enhance rural livelihoods, advancing towards food security and sustainable economic growth.”
He highlighted Jordan’s initiative to establish a food security observatory, following talks with FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, who visited Jordan in 2022.
Khasawneh praised Jordan’s resilience in the face of global challenges, such as refugee influxes, conflicts and climate change, and said the country was pursuing flexible and innovative strategies to improve adaptation and resilience.
He also called for tackling the issue of food waste and water loss, which he said was an ethical duty to fight hunger and protect the environment.
Khasawneh condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza, which caused death and destruction, and lauded Jordan’s efforts, along with other countries, to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza’s people.
