The Role of Water Security for Food Systems Transformations in Egypt
1:00–3:30 pm (GMT+2), online only.
The UNFSS Independent Dialogue on The Role of Water Security for Food Systems Transformations in Egypt is convened by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in partnership with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). Insights emerging from this multi-stakeholder dialogue will be presented at the United Nations Food System Summit (UNFSS) in September 2021. Transforming #foodsystems is among the most powerful ways to make progress towards all 17 SDGs.
Water scarcity remains a key challenge for agricultural development in the MENA region, including Egypt. Scarcity is rapidly growing as a result of climate change and rapid increases in water demand for other uses. Considering that Egypt’s agri-food system provided critical cushioning for economic growth, jobs and household income negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is paramount that more consideration is given to the important role of water security for Egypt’s food systems. With agriculture utilizing over 80% of Egypt’s water resources, meeting these challenges will require bold actions and new mindsets directed at water and food systems transformations to achieve the SDGs.
The Dialogue will discuss the importance of water security for all aspects of Egypt’s food systems, with a focus on equity, inclusion, capacity, innovation and sustainability, including insights on how food systems need to change to improve water security (SDG 6), help eliminate hunger (SGD 2), support energy security (SDG 7) and improve climate adaptation and mitigation action (SDG 13). As Egypt and the MENA region map out the road to UNFSS 2021, the dialogue will discuss the key messages that need to be heard.
Anyone working to advance transformative water and food systems is invited to join this Dialogue.
Meeting platform: Zoom. Register.
