Middle East and North Africa Discussion of IFPRI’s 2023 Global Food Policy Report: Rethinking Food Crisis Responses

In 2022, the world faced multiple crises. Disruptions to food systems continued due to the protracted pandemic, natural disasters, civil unrest, political instability, and the impacts of climate change. The situation was exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, which created a global food and fertilizer crisis.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which is among the most vulnerable to climate change and water scarcity, was heavily affected.

In light of these challenges, there is a clear need for evidence to better respond to and prepare for crises. The 2023 Global Food Policy Report “Rethinking Food Crisis Responses” by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) offers critical evidence to support effective policies and programming to enhance food, land, and water system resilience in fragile and conflict-affected countries, as well as those facing migration-related challenges. The report focuses on crisis prediction and preparation, building resilience, and crisis response that is supportive and inclusive of women, forced migrants, and other vulnerable groups.

The new CGIAR Research Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration (FCM) takes up this research agenda with a focus on climate resilience, gender equity, and social inclusion. The Initiative forms part of CGIAR's new research portfolio aimed at transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis.

Please join the launch of the Report and the FCM Initiative on May 24 in Amman, Jordan, in person or virtually. Livestreaming will be available on the IFPRI Egypt event page.

Opening and Welcome Remarks

• Channing Arndt, Senior Director, Transformation Strategies, CGIAR and IFPRI

Keynote Address: 2023 Global Food Policy Report and the MENA Region

• Johan Swinnen, Managing Director, Systems Transformation, CGIAR; Director General, IFPRI (via video)

2023 Global Food Policy Report: Rethinking Food Crisis Responses

• Report Overview: Key Findings and Recommendations: Katrina Kosec, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI; Lead, CGIAR Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration
• Addressing Food Crises in the MENA Region: Kibrom Abay, Egypt Country Program Leader/ Research Fellow, IFPRI

CGIAR Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration

Fragility, Conflict, and Migration: A new CGIAR Initiative for a Fragile World

• Sandra Ruckstuhl, Senior Researcher, IWMI and co-lead, Fragility, Conflict and Migration Initiative
• Sikandra Kurdi, Research Fellow, IFPRI

Panel Discussion

• Marwa Baabad, Director, Yemen Policy Center
• Fadel Elzubi, Former FAO Ambassador to Iraq
• Francesca Reinhardt, Regional Cash and Markets Specialist, International Committee of the Red Cross – ICRC Regional MENA Office
• Samar Taha, Disaster Risk Reduction Activity Manager, World Food Program WFP, Jordan

Closing Remarks

• Kibrom Abay, Egypt Country Program Leader/ Research Fellow, IFPRI

• Rabih Kamleh, Chief R&D Officer, Hayel Saeed Anam Group (HSA)
• Katrina Kosec, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI; Lead, CGIAR Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration

Moderator

• Olivier Ecker, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI