Iraq Participates in 35th Session of FAO Regional Conference for Near East, Chaired by Sultanate of Oman

The Ambassador of Iraq to Rome and the Permanent Representative to the United Nations organizations in Rome, Mrs. Safia Al-Suhail participated in the virtual opening of the 35th session of the Regional Conference of the FAO for the Near East and North Africa Region, and the Ministerial Roundtable.

In the virtual meeting hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, the importance of regional dialogue in overcoming crises and improving joint action between countries of the region in the field of food security were discussed, particularly the effects of the viral pandemic.

The meeting discussed the response plan prepared by the organization for the region to face the repercussions of the impact of the emerging coronavirus pandemic, water scarcity, and the increase in the population in urban areas and its impact on food security and the agricultural sector in the region.

The Iraqi Minister of Planning, Dr. Khaled Al-Najem participated in the ministerial session in which he referred to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on vulnerable segments of society, and the increase in poverty rates in Iraq, calling for a reconsideration of the five-year government development plan and a sustainable national vision in line with the current challenges, and also called on the countries of the region to come together
to achieve integration, economic and agricultural cooperation.

The meeting took place via closed-circuit television headed by Mr. Saud Al Habsi, the Omani Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, who emphasized at the beginning of the meeting the major role that the regional dialogue could play in overcoming crises and improving joint action between the countries of the region in the field of food security, especially with the effects of the viral pandemic.