Amman: Her Royal Highness Princess Basma bint Talal on Tuesday sponsored a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Jordan and World Food Day, held under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.” This year’s celebration recognizes the organization’s efforts toward achieving the second Sustainable Development Goal, “Zero Hunger,” and raising awareness of the importance of food security and agriculture.
According to Jordan News Agency, Princess Basma highlighted the FAO’s role as a leading international institution in promoting food security, advancing sustainable agriculture, and supporting rural development, while also addressing major global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. She expressed appreciation for the partnership between Jordan and the FAO in tackling local challenges like water scarcity, rangeland protection, support for indigenous crops, and empowerment of rural communities.
Her Royal Highness noted the FAO’s support through the World Food Programme, which has aided Jordan in enduring regional crises while working towards more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems. She emphasized the organization’s pioneering initiatives, such as early warning systems and climate-smart agricultural applications, which serve as a cornerstone of multilateral action by linking scientific knowledge with policymaking and community engagement.
Princess Basma also addressed the unprecedented challenges facing global agricultural and food systems, including threats to arable land, water resources, biodiversity, and the fragility of global supply chains. She underscored the UN agency’s vital role in providing emergency assistance and supporting recovery efforts in conflict-affected regions, particularly in Gaza, where the food system is collapsing, supply chains are disrupted, and agricultural land and water infrastructure have been severely damaged.
She called for swift action, stronger cooperation, and joint efforts to alleviate the suffering caused by the war in Gaza and other conflict-affected areas, stressing that food security must be upheld as a universal human right.
Minister of Agriculture Saeb Khraisat reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to achieving the goals of World Food Day in strategic partnership with the FAO. He mentioned that the organization’s theme this year aligns with Jordan’s strategy of fostering cooperation among public and private sectors and civil society institutions to develop agricultural and food systems, capitalize on available opportunities, and achieve self-reliance and food security as a national objective.
FAO Representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf emphasized the need for collective action to transform agrifood systems, highlighting the importance of continued efforts to foster innovation, build inclusive value chains, and strengthen partnerships to ensure the availability of healthy, affordable, and sustainably produced food for all.
UN Resident Coordinator Sheri Ritsema-Anderson affirmed that supporting the transformation of food systems, in cooperation with the government, remains a top priority for the United Nations in Jordan. The efforts aim to promote sustainable agriculture and strengthen food security in line with the Economic Modernization Vision.
The ceremony also highlighted the success story of Malak Al-Qaisi, a 28-year-old woman with a disability from Madaba, who launched her successful food-processing business, “Malak’s Touch,” after receiving technical training and seed funding through an FAO program. Her experience has become a source of inspiration for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Additionally, the event featured an exhibition of agricultural products from women beneficiaries of FAO projects across various governorates, showcasing the importance of women’s economic empowerment and their enhanced resilience at both family and community levels.