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FAO Representative: Middle East Crises Led to Radical Change in Food Security

Parts of a bulldozer are seen at a farm in the town of Basheeqa, Iraq, February 8, 2017. (Reuters)
Parts of a bulldozer are seen at a farm in the town of Basheeqa, Iraq, February 8, 2017. (Reuters)
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FAO Representative: Middle East Crises Led to Radical Change in Food Security

Parts of a bulldozer are seen at a farm in the town of Basheeqa, Iraq, February 8, 2017. (Reuters)
Parts of a bulldozer are seen at a farm in the town of Basheeqa, Iraq, February 8, 2017. (Reuters)

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations warned that the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East will exacerbate rates of hunger in the region, saying that more than 40 million people are suffering.

It therefore called for more efforts to eliminate hunger and end conflicts in order to achieve development.

On the margins of the FAO’s release of a report on the “regional general view of food safety and nutrition in the Near East and North Africa for 2017”, Asharq Al-Awsat sat with Assistant Director General and Regional Representative for Near East and North Africa, Abdessalam Ould Ahmed to discuss the current situation in the region and its prospects for the future.

He stressed that conflicts in the region are the primary reason for the deterioration of food safety standards, noting that hunger rates in war-torn countries have reached 27.2 percent.

There is a pressing need to provide humanitarian aid to people in areas of conflict, he stressed. For the FAO, this means supporting farmers to withstand the negative repercussions of crises, wars and violence. This also demands that countries be assisted in preparing for the post-war period, including reconstruction.

In addressing countries facing crises, such as Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya, even Palestine, the FAO first seeks to provide support to small farmers by supplying them with seeds and fertilizers, Ould Ahmed said.

It also focuses on backing them through projects, such as providing financial aid in exchange for work or providing financial assistance to maintain their equipment. The organization also helps farmers with infrastructure needs, such as irrigation networks and protecting cattle.

FAO also plays a role in tackling reconstruction efforts in collaboration and setting the bases for sustainable development through policies and plans that are discussed with various countries, he explained.

Moreover, he highlighted the need to restrict wasted food, which is very high in Arab countries.

“This is unacceptable,” he declared, stressing the need for governments and societies to exert efforts to improve this situation.

“My main message is that conflicts are the main reason behind the deterioration of food security. Three-fourths of people suffering from hunger live in conflict zones,” Ould Ahmed stated.

The repercussions of the conflicts are not limited to food security, but they have led to migration and displacement problems, which are issues that need a long time to be resolved, he warned.

The crises have also forced regional countries to spend huge amounts of money on countering terrorism and waging battles. These funds should be dedicated to development and preparing for the future, he stressed.

All attention is now focused on war, violence and conflicts, while vital issues, such as water security, climate change, youth unemployment and levels of health and education, are being neglected, he lamented.

“The truth is, this is a major wasted opportunity,” he said.

“Collective efforts are a necessity because no country in the region can single-handedly end its own crisis,” Ould Ahmed added.

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Syrian Minister of Economy: Sanctions Relief Tied to Reforms

Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar standing in line outside Al-Razi Bakery in Aleppo Province, listening to citizens’ concerns (Facebook page). 
Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar standing in line outside Al-Razi Bakery in Aleppo Province, listening to citizens’ concerns (Facebook page). 
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Syrian Minister of Economy: Sanctions Relief Tied to Reforms

Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar standing in line outside Al-Razi Bakery in Aleppo Province, listening to citizens’ concerns (Facebook page). 
Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar standing in line outside Al-Razi Bakery in Aleppo Province, listening to citizens’ concerns (Facebook page). 

Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar stated that while the serious lifting of US sanctions on Syria could gradually yield positive results for the country’s economy, expectations must remain realistic, as rebuilding trust in the Syrian economy is essential.

In an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Shaar described the removal of sanctions as a necessary first step toward eliminating the obstacles that have long hindered Syria’s economic recovery. Although the immediate impact will likely be limited, he noted that in the medium term, improvements in trade activity and the resumption of some banking transactions could help create a more favorable environment for investment and production.

The breakthrough came after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman successfully facilitated a thaw in relations between Washington and Damascus, ultimately convincing the US president to lift sanctions on Syria. During his historic visit to Saudi Arabia last Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced he would order the removal of all sanctions on Syria to “give it a chance to thrive”—a move seen as a major opportunity for the country to begin a new chapter.

Al-Shaar cautioned, however, that Syrians should not expect an immediate improvement in living standards. “We need to manage the post-sanctions phase with an open and pragmatic economic mindset,” he said, stressing that real progress will only come if sanctions relief is accompanied by meaningful economic reforms, increased transparency, and support for the business climate.

He added that Syrians will begin to feel the difference when the cost of living declines and job opportunities grow—an outcome that requires time, planning, and stability.

According to Al-Shaar, the first tangible benefits of lifting sanctions are likely to be seen in the banking and trade sectors, through facilitated financial transfers, improved access to essential goods, and lower transportation and import costs. “We may also see initial interest from investors who were previously deterred by legal restrictions,” he said. “But it’s important to emphasize that political openness alone isn’t enough—there must also be genuine economic openness from within.”

He also underscored the importance of regional support, saying that any positive role played by neighboring countries in encouraging the US to lift sanctions and normalize ties with Damascus “must be met with appreciation and cooperation.” Al-Shaar emphasized that robust intra-Arab economic relations should form a cornerstone of any reconstruction phase. “We need an economic approach that is open to the Arab world, and we could see strategic partnerships that reignite the national economy—especially through the financing of major infrastructure and development projects.”

When asked whether he expects a surge in Arab and foreign investment following the lifting of sanctions, Al-Shaar responded: “Yes, there is growing interest in investing in Syria, and several companies have already entered the market. But investors first and foremost seek legal certainty and political guarantees.” He explained that investment is not driven solely by the removal of sanctions, but by the presence of an encouraging institutional environment. “If we can enhance transparency, streamline procedures, and ensure stability, we will gradually see greater capital inflows—especially in the service, industrial, and agricultural sectors.”

As for which countries may play a significant role in Syria’s reconstruction, Al-Shaar said: “Countries with long-term interests in regional stability will be at the forefront of the rebuilding process. But we must first rebuild our internal foundations and develop an economic model capable of attracting partners under balanced conditions—ones that protect economic sovereignty and promote inclusive development.”

The minister concluded by stressing that lifting sanctions, while significant, is not the end of the crisis. “Rather, it may mark the beginning of a new phase—one filled with challenges,” he said. “The greatest challenge isn’t securing funding, but managing resources wisely, upholding the principles of productivity, justice, and transparency. We need a proactive—not reactive—economy. We must restore the value of work and implement policies that put people at the center of development. Only then can we say we are beginning to emerge from the bottleneck.”

Last Wednesday, Riyadh hosted a landmark meeting between the Crown Prince, Trump, and Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa—marking the first meeting between a Syrian and a US president since Hafez Al-Assad met Bill Clinton in Geneva in 2000.

Most US sanctions on Syria were imposed after the outbreak of the country’s conflict in 2011. These targeted deposed President Bashar Al-Assad, members of his family, and various political and economic figures. In 2020, additional sanctions came into effect under the Caesar Act, targeting Assad’s inner circle and imposing severe penalties on any entity or company dealing with the Syrian regime. The Act also sanctioned Syria’s construction, oil, and gas sectors and prohibited US funding for reconstruction—while exempting humanitarian organizations operating in the country.