FAO: Conflicts in Middle East Hamstring Efforts to Eradicate Hunger

FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative, Abdessalam Ould Ahmed during the report's launch in Cairo, Egypt (Asharq Al-Awsat)
FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative, Abdessalam Ould Ahmed during the report's launch in Cairo, Egypt (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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FAO: Conflicts in Middle East Hamstring Efforts to Eradicate Hunger

FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative, Abdessalam Ould Ahmed during the report's launch in Cairo, Egypt (Asharq Al-Awsat)
FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative, Abdessalam Ould Ahmed during the report's launch in Cairo, Egypt (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) called for increasing the cooperation and solidarity among the countries of the Near East and North Africa region to eradicate hunger, which affects about 40 million people in the region, according to official figures.

The organization also requested intensifying the efforts to end conflicts and achieve development after food insecurity levels in conflict countries were six times higher than that of more stable countries of the region.

FAO estimates that about 55.2 million people suffer from acute food insecurity in the region, confirming that 10.2 percent of the region's population suffer from malnutrition, while 12 percent suffer from food insecurity.

FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative, Abdessalam Ould Ahmed reiterated importance of establishing resilient and sustainable peace in the region is important for improving the well-being of the population.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Ould Ahmed stressed that no country in the region can succeed on its own because the countries are linked, adding that it is necessary to work together to compensate "lost opportunities" in comprehensive development, including food security.

In Cairo, FAO launched its 2017 report "Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition in the Near East and North Africa (NENA)" which highlights in particular how an ongoing intensification of violence is opening a wide "hunger gap" between countries being affected by conflicts and those that are not.

The report indicated that in countries directly impacted by conflict, 27.2 percent of all people were chronically hungry, or undernourished, during the 2014-2016 period, which is six times higher than the share of the population that was undernourished in countries not affected by strife.

Meanwhile, "severe food insecurity", one of FAO's metrics to measure hunger, in conflict-affected countries now is double that in non-conflict countries.

In a region largely made up of developing, middle-income countries, chronic hunger typically affects less than 5 percent of their populations. Violence in some of these countries has seen the proportion of chronically hungry people in conflict zones increase to levels comparable with the world's poorest countries.

This will make realistic progress towards eradicating hunger in the region using traditional tools of policy-making difficult, unless decisive steps towards peace and stability are taken, the report cautions.

The report highlights several regional countries being particularly affected by conflict, with profound consequences for people's incomes and food security.

In Syria, violence has provoked a 67 percent reduction in the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and severely undermined food security, as between 70 and 80 percent of Syrians now need humanitarian assistance, while 50 percent require food assistance.

In Iraq, the report stated that violence led to a 58 percent decline in GDP, with 30 percent of the population needing humanitarian assistance while 9 percent requires food assistance.

As for Yemen, the conflict led to a situation where 70 to 80 of the population in need of humanitarian assistance and 50 percent require food assistance.

Whereas in Libya, conflict is undermining food security with 6 percent of the population in need of food assistance, according to the report.

During the launch ceremony, FAO Assistant Director-General Ould Ahmed highlighted the pivotal importance of building resilience and sustaining peace in the Near East and North Africa region to improving peoples' well-being.

He pointed to "the growing need to implement long-term and comprehensive policies and practices to achieve Zero hunger by 2030," adding that "when countries in the region are suffering from an escalation of conflicts, the aim to tackle the region's deepest concerns of malnutrition, water scarcity and climate change becomes more challenging but at the same time more urgent".

Ould Ahmed concluded that only through improved cooperation and solidarity will the region be able to end conflicts and violence and get back to development.

FAO's report establishes a baseline for measuring future progress towards achieving the second goal of the SDG in the MENA region using the latest indicators for the SDG targets on hunger and food insecurity and malnutrition.

The report also identifies how conflict itself encumbers SDG monitoring with UN agencies gathering and assessing information on food security and nutrition status during conflict, but the data are not always complete and can be difficult to compare with peacetime data.

Other than statistics, the report focuses on the fundamental factors that improves food security and malnutrition: poverty reduction, economic growth, improvements in maternal and childhood nutrition and public health, increases in the quantity and quality of food and the cessation of violence.



Saudi Role Pivotal as Syria Hosts Investment Forum in Damascus

The Syria-Saudi Investment Forum in Damascus (SANA) 
The Syria-Saudi Investment Forum in Damascus (SANA) 
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Saudi Role Pivotal as Syria Hosts Investment Forum in Damascus

The Syria-Saudi Investment Forum in Damascus (SANA) 
The Syria-Saudi Investment Forum in Damascus (SANA) 

In a symbolic and strategic move, Syria and Saudi Arabia took a major step toward deepening economic ties this week with the launch of the Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum 2025, held at the People’s Palace in Damascus. The event brought together top officials from both countries, including Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, along with over 120 Saudi investors and business leaders.

The forum marks the most significant Saudi economic delegation to visit Syria in over a decade, and comes amid a broader push by Damascus to attract regional and international investment to rebuild the war-torn country.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Osama Qadi, Senior Advisor to Syria’s Ministry of Economy and Industry, described the forum as a turning point.

“Saudi Arabia is helping to write a new chapter in Syria’s economic history,” he said. “The Kingdom is not only a political and security partner, it will be remembered as the driving force behind what could become Syria’s economic miracle.”

Qadi said Saudi Arabia’s presence signaled deep trust in Syria’s post-conflict potential. “This initial delegation of over 120 Saudi business leaders is just the beginning,” he noted. “Minister Al-Falih has committed to encouraging investment not only from the Kingdom but from countries across the globe.”

According to Qadi, Saudi investments send a powerful signal to the international business community that Syria is stable and open for investment.

“The presence of Saudi capital builds trust,” he said. “It shows that Syria is safe, serious about reform, and prepared to welcome global partnerships.”

He emphasized that the large-scale destruction resulting from years of conflict has created opportunities in reconstruction, particularly for real estate developers, contractors, and urban planners.

In this context, he said: “The ruins can be rebuilt into a modern Syria... Before 2011, Syria already had widespread informal housing. Now, we have the opportunity to design cities with green spaces, modern infrastructure, and sustainable architecture - all while preserving local heritage.”

Qadi added that the Syrian government sees this as a chance to rebuild in line with global standards.

“Together with our partners, we can build a Syria of 2025, with smart cities, environmentally friendly construction, and livable communities for the next generation,” he underlined.

The timing of the forum, he noted, sends a strong political message to skeptics.

“Even as some areas of the country, like Sweida, remain unstable and US lawmakers debate the future of the Caesar Act sanctions, this forum shows that serious investors believe in Syria’s future,” he remarked.

Qadi expressed hope that Saudi engagement would trigger a ripple effect, saying: “Together with the Kingdom, we can attract the largest number of investors, companies, and projects. This will create jobs and help Syria become one of the region’s most attractive investment destinations.”

At a press conference Wednesday night, Syrian Minister of Information Hamza Al-Mustafa officially launched the forum under the auspices of the Supreme Council for Economic Development and in partnership with the Syrian Investment Agency. Al-Mustafa praised Saudi Arabia’s role as “a key player in the Arab regional order and a very important global actor.”

He also highlighted the strong historical and cultural ties between the two countries.

“Saudi Arabia holds a special place in the hearts of all Syrians. That’s why President Al-Sharaa’s first official visit abroad was to Riyadh. Syria received a warm welcome and a clear signal of Saudi commitment to our recovery,” the minister stated.

Al-Mustafa further said the forum reflects Syria’s readiness to turn the page.

“After decades of authoritarian rule and economic stagnation, Damascus is now presenting itself as a serious opportunity for investors. The soil is fertile, the environment is right, and we welcome all those who want to be part of Syria’s renewal,” he affirmed.