Tunis, Tunisia - 20-23 January 2025 - The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) is participating in the FAO Regional Capacity Building Workshop and Conference titled "How to Finance the Transformation of Agrifood Systems?" organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The event, held in Tunis, Tunisia, from January 20 to 23, 2025, brings together key stakeholders to address the challenges and opportunities of financing agrifood systems transformation in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region.
The workshop’s agenda highlights the critical need for increased investment in agrifood systems, with sessions focused on innovative financing mechanisms and tools to enable participants to develop investable projects. Experts from FAO and its partners delivered comprehensive sessions, presenting innovative approaches such as blended instruments, climate finance, results-based financing, and green bonds, which are key to unlocking resources for sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems. These sessions offered practical guidance on bridging the significant financing gap in the region.
A notable highlight of the event is the introduction of the FAO Hand-in-Hand tool, which empowers participants to design investable projects tailored to national priorities and aligned with sustainable development goals, particularly SDG2: Zero Hunger. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises and country case studies to apply these tools in addressing real-world challenges. Mr. Bakytzhan Arystanbek , Project Manager, Projects Department at IOFS, represented the organization at this event.
On the sidelines of the workshop, Mr. Arystanbek engaged in productive discussions with representatives from the ministries of agriculture of various member countries. These exchanges provides an excellent platform to explore collaborative opportunities, share experiences, and identify strategies to strengthen regional food security governance.
The workshop will conclude on January 23, 2025, with a dialogue among participants to develop actionable recommendations for countries, fostering collective efforts towards sustainable agrifood systems transformation.
