MENA2050 is proud to announce the participation of Dr. Lee Recht, Chairwoman of the MENA2050 Food Systems Committee, at the DialogueNEXT Africa event convened by the World Food Prize Foundation in Nairobi, Kenya.

Bringing together global leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators, the event provided a unique platform to advance dialogue on the future of food systems and strengthen international collaboration to address shared agricultural and climate challenges.

During the event, Dr. Recht officially launched MENA2050's new white paper, Transforming Agrifood Systems in the MENA Region: Challenges, Strategies and Pathways to Sustainability.

The publication presents a comprehensive regional perspective on one of the Middle East and North Africa's most pressing, yet often overlooked priorities. Agrifood systems lie at the heart of many of today's defining global challenges, including water scarcity, climate resilience, food security, import dependency, public health, economic diversification, youth employment, and long-term regional stability.

As the first regional white paper dedicated to examining agrifood systems across the Middle East and North Africa, it provides strategic insights on rhe current status and practical pathways for building more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive food systems across the region.

Launching the paper in Africa carries particular significance. Africa and the MENA region share common climate realities, interconnected food systems, growing trade relationships, and longstanding historical ties. Strengthening collaboration between the two regions creates important opportunities for innovation, knowledge exchange, investment, and sustainable development that can benefit both regions.

MENA2050 extends its sincere gratitude to the World Food Prize Foundation for providing a global platform to elevate the voice of MENA food systems and for fostering meaningful dialogue on the future of sustainable agriculture and food security.

Read the white paper: https://docs.mena2050.org/agrifood