Strengthening urban-rural food systems through local production and food waste reduction

Urbanization in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region is rapidly accelerating, bringing with it both opportunities and immense challenges. With projections showing that by 2050, 73 percent of the population will live in cities, surpassing 450 million people, food systems in the region are under extreme pressure to meet growing urban demands. This rapid urban expansion is accompanied by environmental degradation, resource scarcity, and exacerbated vulnerabilities to climate change.

In this context, it is important to question how the NENA region can tackle the intersecting challenges of food security and environmental sustainability. The upcoming World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Cairo, Egypt provides a timely opportunity for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to address these issues, offering a platform to discuss innovative solutions that can strengthen the linkages between urban and rural areas and promote green cities.

Urbanization, food security, and climate resilience: facing NENA’s challenges

The transformation of the NENA region due to rapid urbanization, often lacking comprehensive land use planning, has resulted in the loss of natural and agricultural lands to urban development. Forests, landscapes, and green areas in and around cities are being encroached upon for fuel, building materials, and expansion, which severely impacts environmental sustainability. Coupled with climate change, these dynamics pose important challenges to the region’s food systems.

In the NENA region, cities are the primary hubs of consumption, yet their capacity to meet the rising food demand is hindered by natural resource scarcity, water limitations, climate change, and conflict. The growing urban population is driving changes in dietary patterns, including a preference for energy-dense and processed foods, complex supply chains, and a decline in rural food production. These shifts significantly impact food availability and prices, thereby affecting food security and nutrition in the region. Consequently, there is a need for agrifood systems policies and strategies to adapt and address the complexities across urban and rural contexts.

Compounding the challenge is rural-urban migration. As climate change reduces agricultural production and poverty and tenure insecurity increase, people are moving to cities in search of better opportunities.  Along with this migration, the region is also grappling with high levels of malnutrition. In 2023, 66.3 million people in the Arab States were undernourished, while obesity rates reached over 32 percent, underscoring the double burden of malnutrition.

Linking urban and rural spaces for sustainable development

Addressing the intertwined challenges of food security, urbanization, and environmental degradation in the NENA region requires a holistic approach that bridges the gap between urban and rural areas. A critical area of focus is fostering sustainable agrifood systems that can support the growing needs of city populations while ensuring the vitality of rural communities.

FAO initiatives across the region are designed to strengthen these urban-rural linkages. In Egypt, a project targeting women and youth is improving household food security through homestead food production, small animal husbandry, and nutrition education. By enhancing skills and providing entrepreneurial opportunities, this project empowers vulnerable populations and builds resilience against food insecurity. These interventions not only boost rural livelihoods but also help supply urban markets with locally produced, nutritious foods, creating a more integrated and resilient agrifood system.

In Tunisia, FAO is addressing food waste in the cities of Tunis and La Goulette through a strategic and innovative framework under the project ‘Reduction of food waste in urban areas for more sustainable urban food systems’  that reduces food loss and strengthens the capacity of national actors to manage and prevent waste. Pilot projects are being implemented to promote sustainable urban food systems. In Gaza, FAO implemented an emergency project ‘Rapid mitigation of the livelihood crisis in the Gaza Strip’ between 2011 and 2012 focused on enhancing food production by supporting backyard farming, boosting fruit and vegetable cultivation, and improving fisheries-based livelihoods. These initiatives improve household-level food security while addressing the region's broader food demands, creating a stronger link between rural producers and urban consumers.

Greening Cities for a Healthier Future

The rapid pace of urbanization in the NENA region has led to serious environmental consequences, with air pollution levels in major cities exceeding WHO safe limits by over tenfold. This pollution not only poses significant public health risks but also costs the region billions of dollars annually. However, urban greening initiatives are offering a path toward more sustainable, resilient cities.In Bahrain, FAO-led efforts to increase urban green spaces and improve public parks are making cities more livable. By promoting tree planting and sustainable urban design, these projects are reducing air pollution, mitigating the effects of urban heat islands, and creating healthier environments for residents. Bahrain’s initiative also emphasizes inclusivity by improving access to public spaces for women, children, and people with disabilities, contributing to broader social and environmental resilience.

In May 2024, the project “Green Cities Initiative (GCI): flagship cities for integrated green oases and food systems” was introduced to promote urban greening and forestry, enhancing resilience, health, and well-being for communities in drylands. This project focuses on rehabilitating public parks in Amman, advancing Green Roof initiatives with the involvement of local communities and schools, and strengthening the capacities of stakeholders to promote urban agriculture. Through these efforts, the initiative aims to create sustainable, green urban spaces that benefit both the environment and residents.

Towards a green future: FAO and the World Urban Forum

The upcoming Twelfth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Cairo from 4 to 8 November 2024 presents a unique opportunity for stakeholders to come together to address the complex challenges of urbanization in the NENA region. Convened by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), WUF12 aims to raise awareness about sustainable urbanization, improve collective knowledge on urban development, and promote collaboration across sectors.

FAO’s work on sustainable agrifood systems, food security, and environmental resilience will be showcased at WUF12, where discussions will focus on how to integrate urban and rural development in ways that promote climate resilience, food security, and sustainable livelihoods. FAO’s programmes in countries like Egypt, Tunisia, and Bahrain exemplify how green cities, agrifood systems, and environmental sustainability can work together to tackle the challenges posed by rapid urbanization and climate change. The FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa is planning to organize three sessions during WUF12. Two of the sessions, to be held on 8 November, will focus on showcasing experiences from NENA countries with successful urban greening initiatives and emphasizing the need for effective strategies to address the effects of Sand and Dust Storms (SDS). A high-level networking event will be organized on 6 November 2024, this session will present the regional investment plan, an initiative led by FAO and its partners that promotes an integrated approach to ecosystem restoration and development solutions.

The next steps are crucial for advancing sustainable urban-rural linkages in the NENA region. By fostering collaboration and sharing successful urban greening and agrifood system initiatives, FAO will help drive the development of resilient cities and secure food systems. These efforts are key to ensuring the region can sustainably manage the challenges of rapid urbanization and climate change. The outcomes of WUF12 will inform future projects and investment plans, helping to create integrated, climate-resilient communities that can meet the growing needs of both urban and rural populations, laying the foundation for long-term food security and environmental sustainability in the region.

Authors

Senior Economist

Ahmad Mukhtar

FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa

[email protected]

Senior Programme Officer

Fidaa Haddad

FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa

[email protected]