Co-Organized by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), International Water Management Institute (IWMI), and International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Area (ICARDA)
Monday, April 19th, 2021
1:00 pm to 3:30 pm (Cairo Local Time)
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 Sustainable Development Goals.
This Independent Dialogue convened in partnership between the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) discussed the Role of Water Security for Food Systems Transformation in Egypt. Stakeholders engaged in interactive group discussions, collective brainstorming, and agenda-setting 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 (SGD2), support energy security (SDG 7) and improve climate adaptation and mitigation action (SDG 13). Emerging messages 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.
The event took place in English. Arabic translation was available during plenary sessions.
The Official Feedback Report is available for download on the dialogue’s page on the Summit Dialogues Gateway.
Click here to read about the UNFSS Independent Dialogue Series on water organized by CGIAR-WLE, IWMI and IFPRI in the “Water and cross-sectoral collaboration are key to food system transformations” blog written by Jack Durrell.
Links to speaker slides are available below.
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Convenors Facilitators |
AGENDACURATOR OPENING REMARKSThe Road to UNFSS2021: Achieving Water and Food SecurityJoachim von Braun The Need for System Transformation: A few thoughts from policyHeba ElHariry INTRODUCTORY PRESENTATIONSSystem-level SolutionsChandrashekhar Biradar New Water SolutionsAmgad ElMahdi Water and Food System Transformations in EgyptClemens Breisinger BREAKOUT GROUP DISCUSSIONSSee Thematic Areas below FEEDBACK FROM BREAKOUT DISCUSSIONSPANEL DISCUSSION ON THE WAY FORWARDCURATOR DISCUSSANTS Phil Riddell Sami Ouechtati Hassan Husseiny Mahmoud Ebada |
CLOSING REMARKS & WRAP-UP OF KEY MESSAGESHammou Laamrani |
Related links:
IFPRI and UN Food Systems Summit 2021
Global Summit Dialogue – Water: The Game Changer for Food Systems
CGIAR Water, Land and Ecosystems
