UN Launches Cairo Declaration to Address Hunger in Arab Region

Palestinian children wait for food at a distribution center in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinian children wait for food at a distribution center in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
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UN Launches Cairo Declaration to Address Hunger in Arab Region

Palestinian children wait for food at a distribution center in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinian children wait for food at a distribution center in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Rising conflicts, inflation, and climate change have worsened the food crisis in the Arab region, reaching record levels in 2023, according to six UN agencies.

The crisis now affects over 14% of the population, with early signs showing an even greater escalation this year.

To address this, the six UN agencies issued the “Cairo Declaration on Financing Agrifood Systems Transformation in the Near East and North Africa Region” on Wednesday.

The six UN agencies reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with development banks, the private sector, and national governments to boost financial resources for transforming food and agricultural systems in the Arab region, aiming to improve food security and nutrition.

These agencies—FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, WHO, and ESCWA—also proposed creating cooperative funding platforms, led by governments and developed with partners, to help meet the second Sustainable Development Goal of ending hunger.

The “Cairo Declaration” was issued alongside a joint report titled the 2024 NENA Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition. The report warned that the Arab region is still far from reaching its food security and nutrition targets for 2030.

In 2023, 66.1 million people—14% of the Arab population—were affected by hunger. The report showed that around 186.5 million people (39.4% of the population) faced food insecurity, with 72.7 million suffering from severe food insecurity.

Conflicts remain the main cause of food insecurity and malnutrition in the region, compounded by economic challenges, income inequality, and extreme weather events.

Food prices have worsened the crisis, with malnutrition rates in conflict-affected countries jumping to 26.4% in 2023—four times higher than the 6.6% in stable countries. Ongoing conflicts and droughts are expected to further degrade food security and nutrition.

FAO’s Assistant Director-General and NENA Regional Representative Abdulhakim Elwaer emphasized the need for improved public resource use and additional funding to positively impact food systems in Arab countries.

The agencies stress that the report’s findings will drive efforts to create more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems in the region, benefiting both people and the planet.

Over a third of the Arab population struggles to afford healthy food, with 151.3 million people unable to cover basic nutritional needs. This issue is especially severe in conflict zones, where 41.2% of people can't afford a healthy diet.



Riyadh Real Estate Awaits Impact of Measures to Curb Price Surge

Residential and commercial properties in the Saudi capital Riyadh (Reuters)
Residential and commercial properties in the Saudi capital Riyadh (Reuters)
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Riyadh Real Estate Awaits Impact of Measures to Curb Price Surge

Residential and commercial properties in the Saudi capital Riyadh (Reuters)
Residential and commercial properties in the Saudi capital Riyadh (Reuters)

The Saudi real estate market is currently in a state of cautious anticipation, driven by unprecedented decisions and measures announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

These steps aim to increase the supply of properties and restore balance in the market to address the rising costs of land and rental prices.

Data from the market shows a stagnation in property purchases by citizens, as they await the impact of these measures, hoping they will bring stability to property prices in Riyadh and lower costs.

In March, the Crown Prince directed the implementation of a series of regulatory measures, including lifting restrictions on the development of over 81 square kilometers of land north of Riyadh.

This move is expected to deliver tens of thousands of affordable residential plots annually to citizens, following a significant rise in property prices in Riyadh.

According to Saudi Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majid Al-Hogail, these measures will add between 10,000 and 40,000 plots of land annually in the northern region of Riyadh, ensuring a better balance between supply and demand in the market.

The Crown Prince has already donated 1 billion riyals to the National Developmental Housing Foundation (Sakan), represented by Jood Eskan, to support home ownership for eligible families across Saudi Arabia.

The housing projects funded by this donation are to be completed within 12 months and executed by national companies.

The Crown Prince also ordered monthly progress reports to ensure that all residential units are delivered within one year.

Real estate market experts told Asharq Al-Awsat that current market data reveals a stagnation in property purchases by citizens, as they await the impact of recent policy changes and their potential to restore balance to the market.

Many real estate companies and agencies have observed a decline in sales activity, with property marketers facing difficulties in encouraging buyers who prefer to delay decisions until the effects of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s directives take shape.

Real estate expert and marketer Abdullah Al-Mousa told Asharq Al-Awsat that the current stagnation in property prices in Riyadh is a direct result of the Crown Prince’s initiatives to increase property supply, which aim to restore price equilibrium following the recent surge in real estate costs.

He views the decline as a positive step toward balancing supply and demand, contributing to a more sustainable and fair market for all stakeholders.

Al-Mousa anticipates that this stagnation will persist until all government directives are fully implemented in the coming months.

He noted that, with plans to increase the property supply, the market could experience gradual recovery in the long term, especially given Riyadh’s continued population and economic growth.

The expert highlighted that several factors may sustain the current stagnation, including high interest rates, which reduce citizens’ purchasing power, the oversupply of properties relative to demand, and global economic fluctuations that could affect investments.

However, he emphasized that Riyadh’s ongoing population growth, improving national economy, rising per capita income, large-scale infrastructure projects like the Riyadh Metro, and continued government support for housing programs are expected to drive the recovery of the real estate market.

Al-Mousa also predicted further improvement in the sector as policies are implemented and market conditions are monitored.