Steering change together: key players renew partnership for more sustainable agri-food systems in the Mediterranean

Siwa Oasis, Egypt ©GIAHS Siwa Oasis, Egypt

21/01/2025

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) have reaffirmed their commitment to transforming agri-food systems in the Mediterranean region by renewing their Memorandum of Understanding. Originally signed in 2021, this partnership has already achieved remarkable progress in contributing to agri-food systems transformation efforts in the Mediterranean. Its renewal reaffirms the shared ambition of its partners to drive further progress on the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

A strategic collaboration for the region

The Mediterranean region is a microcosm of global challenges related to agrifood systems, grappling with multiple pressures such as climate change, demographic shifts and economic vulnerabilities, to name but a few . Aware of these issues, the renewed partnership will continue to focus on key areas such as: political dialogue, research, capacity building, advocacy and awareness-raising.

Since 2021, the three signatories have joined forces within the SFS-MED Platform, a multi-stakeholder initiative (and an affiliated project of the One Planet Network’s Sustainable Food Systems Programme) fostering an innovative regional approach to transforming agrifood systems through a network for shared learning in response to existing agrifood challenges.

Within this framework, the SFS-MED platform organised regional UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) dialogues in 2021, bringing together national coordinators and key stakeholders, and published a summary report based on lessons learned from these discussions. Between 2022 to 2024, the partnership implemented a series of technical webinars to facilitate knowledge sharing on trends, priorities and challenges common to most Mediterranean. This initiative led to the creation of a digital tool offering concrete recommendations for stakeholders. Furthermore, the SFS-MED initiative published two executive briefs, in 2021 and 2024, outlining pathways for transforming agri-food systems and fostering cooperation in the Mediterranean.

Looking ahead: UNFSS+4 and beyond

With the upcoming UNFSS+4 in view, the partnership aims to strenghten regional contributions to the global agenda by building on its existing platforms and networks. Planned activities include increased support for the SFS-MED Platform and its initiatives, with a focus on multi-stakeholder collaboration, knowledge production and shared learning.

As a crossroads of trade, culture, and innovation, progress in transforming agri-food systems in the the Mediterranean has far-reaching implications beyond its borders. The efforts undertaken within this partnership will contribute to the sustainable development of the Mediterranean region, and provide interested financial partners with an opportunity to amplify the impact through collaboration.

The technical expertise of the FAO, the research and capacity-building networks of the CIHEAM and the political outreach of the UfM converge in this renewed MoU, reflecting a holistic approach to transforming agri-food systems. This initiative also aime to promote sustainable production and consumption, improve nutrition, protect the environment and enhance the quality of life for all in the Mediterranean.