Agriculture and Land Reclamation Minister Alaa Farouk has stressed that successive crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflicts and geopolitical tensions, have disrupted global supply chains, underscoring the need for regional and international co-operation to ensure food security.
Farouk made the remarks on Monday during the opening of a regional dialogue conference on strengthening food security and the resilience of grain supply chains, organised by the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce and the Association of Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
The conference is being held under the EU-funded Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) programme.
Farouk said the conference was taking place at a critical time, as the world and the Euro-Mediterranean region face mounting challenges affecting food security and supply chains.
He highlighted the importance of establishing resilient co-operation networks and exchanging expertise, knowledge and technology among governments, research institutions and the private sector to address challenges arising from climate change and market disruptions.
Farouk also underlined PRIMA’s role in promoting innovation and sustainable development in agriculture and water resources, particularly in addressing water scarcity, combating land degradation and improving the productivity of strategic crops.
He stressed the importance of private-sector investment and the role of chambers of commerce in expanding grain storage and logistics capacities and strengthening food supply chains.
The conference is also reviewing the mid-term results of the STAPLES project, which aims to improve access to affordable food, strengthen grain supply chains and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.
The project also supports the development of digital platforms and decision-making tools to improve agricultural and trade planning, while promoting healthier and more sustainable food systems.
