Libya’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock reported last Wednesday (4 November) that, in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), it had organised a national workshop titled “Transforming the Food System in Libya” held in Tripoli from 4 to 5 November.

The event was inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Abdellatif Mohamed Al-Taher, with the participation of representatives of several government agencies, experts, and representatives of international organizations, the private sector and civil society.‎

‎The Ministry said the workshop is part of its efforts to promote the Joint National Dialogue, aimed at crystallizing a national vision to transform the food system in Libya towards a more sustainable and resilient system.‎

‎The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Reem Najdawi, Head of the Food and Environment Policy Section at the Climate Change and Natural Resources Sustainability Group at ESCWA, Dr. Mohamed Hosni, Advisor to the Minister, Ms. Hanan Aqeel, Director of the International Cooperation Office at the Ministry, Dr. Hussein Bashir, Head of the National Centre for Agricultural Extension, Cooperation and Information, along with a number of representatives of ministries and government agencies.‎

‎In his speech at the opening, the Minister stressed that transforming the food system is a national priority that requires integration of efforts and coordination of policies between various sectors, stressing the importance of enhancing local production, supporting food security, addressing challenges related to climate change, and expanding partnerships that support food security pathways ‎

‎For her part, Dr. Reem Najdawi affirmed the continuation of ESCWA’s cooperation with Libya to support the transformation of the food system, through the exchange of experiences, capacity building and the provision of technical support, in order to contribute to reaching a just, healthy and sustainable food system.‎

‎The workshop will discuss:

– The current state of the food system in Libya

– The most prominent challenges facing local production

– A review of mechanisms for developing sustainable agricultural production & food security

– The development of policies that support sustainability and climate change adaptation

– Operational priorities for drafting a national roadmap for food system transformation