Arab Equality Forum Opens in Beirut, UN Calls for Improved Agricultural Policies

Date: 06 June 2023 - 22:31

News ID: ۱۱۵۷۶۱

BEIRUT (Xinhua) – A senior UN official on Tuesday called on Arab countries to revisit their agricultural policies and increase investment in land and water productivity to ensure food equality.
“Food inequality is one of the reasons for the loss of hope in our region ... Arab countries should revisit their agricultural, production and commercial policies, and increase investments in land and water productivity,” a statement released by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) quoted Executive Secretary Rola Dashti as saying during the 2nd Arab Forum for Equality, which opened in Beirut on Tuesday.
“Ensuring food security is one of the primary means for achieving equality ... (as) in the Arab region, millions of people are still living in a vicious cycle of poverty and hunger,” the statement noted.
The opening ceremony was followed by a session with Lebanese superstar Elissa, who advocated “Josour,” an ESCWA initiative to increase commitment to creating opportunities for unemployed men and women.
Elissa called on private sector entities in all Arab countries that have not yet been involved in “Josour” to reach out to ESCWA to contribute to sustainable development in the region.