High-Level Meeting on Food Insecurity in the Mediterranean (24 October 2024, IAVH II, Rabat, Morocco) organized ahead of the 12th CIHEAM Ministerial Meeting
The Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute in Rabat hosted a high-level meeting on the theme "Mediterranean Food Insecurity: Supportive Approaches to Agriculture and Climate at National and Regional Scale" on October 24, 2024. This scientific event, organized by CIHEAM in conjunction with the 12th CIHEAM Ministerial Meeting scheduled for October 25, brought together ministerial delegations, international experts, and young representatives from across the Mediterranean region.
The meeting was opened by Mr. Redouane Arrach, Secretary General, Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Teodoro Miano, Secretary General of CIHEAM, and by Mr. Abdelaziz El Hraiki, Director of the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute, and Mr. Teodoro Miano, Secretary General of CIHEAM.
A Rich Program of Exchanges and Discussions
This event aimed to present the challenges of agriculture and food in the Mediterranean while exploring innovative approaches and current solutions to support the resilience of agricultural and food systems.
The high-level meeting were structured around three thematic panels:
The first panel, titled "Climate Resilience in Agriculture," focused on mitigation and adaptation tools to address the impacts of climate change on natural resources and agricultural production in the Mediterranean. This panel was moderated by Mr. Mahmoud Elyes Hamza, Director of the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (CAR/ASP). Speakers included Mr. Stéphane Le Foll, President of the "4 per 1000" Initiative, Ms. Roula Khadra, Scientific Coordinator at CIHEAM Bari and the Arab Water Council, and Mr. Robin Degron, Director of Plan Bleu.
The second panel, "Fostering Innovation through Science and Technology" will explore the role of science, technology, and knowledge transfer in promoting innovation and strengthening the capacities of young people and women in Mediterranean food systems. Mr. Raúl Compés, Director of CIHEAM Zaragoza, will moderate this session, with contributions from Ms. Loubna El Mansouri, Director of the Digital Hub at the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Giordano Dichter, Economist, Local Development expert, and Mr. Octavi Quintana, Director of the PRIMA Foundation.
The third panel, "Enhancing Food Sovereignty and Security" addressed strategies for promoting food sovereignty in the Mediterranean basin and the challenges related to resilience and food security. This session was chaired by Mr. Thierry Dupeuble, Director of CIHEAM Montpellier, with participation from Mr Matthieu Brun, Scientific Director, Foundation Agriculture & Rurality in the World (FARM), Ms. Lamiae Ghaouti, Deputy Director of Cooperation, Partnership, and Development at the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute, and Mr. Roberto Capone, Senior Administrator at CIHEAM.
A Constructive Dialogue to Prepare for the Future
In the context of multiple crises — climate, economic, and social — affecting rural and agricultural regions in the Mediterranean, this meeting aimed to create a space for discussion on current critical issues and key levers to address them. It will result in the drafting of a detailed report by rapporteurs, primarily young individuals from research institutions and cooperation and development organizations, which will highlight emerging threats and opportunities for Mediterranean communities and serve as a guide for future regional actions.
