Food Security Challenges in Africa and the Middle East

Food security is a multi-factorial concept whose issues and scope are constantly evolving. The concept appeared in the 1970s, in a context of soaring grain prices on international markets due to a succession of poor harvests, declining stocks and rising oil prices. Since then, numerous studies have shown that producing enough food in a country or region is not enough to overcome hunger. Nevertheless, Access to food, in quantity and quality, is a basic human right.

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Background

The Hub organized a workshop entitled "Food Security Challenges in Africa and the Middle East" on November 15-16, 2022. This workshop brought together seven high-level international experts from Africa and the Middle East.

The objective of the event was to improve our understanding of food security as a key socio-economic condition for security, political stability and sustainable development in Africa and the Middle East, drawing on regional perceptions and sensitivities.

To do so, the NSD-S Hub first drafted a Food For Thought Paper (FFTP). Then it conducted a NATO Alternative Analysis (AltA) - Alternative Futures Analysis, to identify what the future might look like according to the experts. The proceedings of the workshop provide for conclusions.

Key insights

Food security is a key element for the future of Africa and the Middle East, and governments will need to put in place ambitious policies at the national and regional levels.
These policies will have to address the issue of food equality by giving more power to those most affected by insecurity.
They should also be long-term and should promote alternative diets as well as include food education policies.
New technologies offer potential for strengthening food sustainability.