African countries strengthen links between food systems, climate action and resilience at regional dialogue in Cairo

Cairo, Egypt | 15 July 2026 – National Food Systems Convenors, UNFCCC climate focal points and regional partners gathered in Cairo to strengthen links between food systems transformation, climate action and resilience-building across Africa.

The three-day Regional Convergence Initiative Dialogue: Strengthening resilience in Africa by aligning food systems and climate action marked the first regional dialogue in Africa under the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub's Convergence Initiative. Organized with the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA), and in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and other partners, the dialogue focused on helping countries better connect national food systems, climate and resilience efforts.

Participants from 13 countries across Eastern and Northern Africa took part in technical sessions, country case studies and peer learning, bringing together National Food Systems Convenors and climate focal points who do not always have the opportunity to plan jointly. The discussions explored practical ways to strengthen coordination, build resilience and support country-led priorities.

Khaled Eltaweel, Senior Programme Coordinator at the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, said many countries already have strong national strategies in place, but greater coordination between them is essential: “The problem is not a shortage of national strategies. The problem is the weak connectivity among them. The Convergence Initiative helps countries close these gaps.”

The dialogue took place against a challenging backdrop. Climate change, conflict, food insecurity and economic pressures increasingly reinforce one another across the continent. More than 307 million people in Africa were suffering from hunger in 2024, while food systems themselves account for around one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Participants agreed that these overlapping challenges require coordinated action across sectors, institutions and national borders.

Ambassador Peter Mollema, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Egypt, echoed that message: “Climate change does not stop at borders. No country can resolve this issue by itself.”

Across the three days, several priorities emerged. Participants stressed the importance of bringing food systems, climate, biodiversity and disaster risk reduction planning closer together, rather than addressing each in isolation. Existing frameworks – including Agenda 2030, the African Union's Agenda 2063, the CAADP Kampala Declaration and Action Plan, and the Sendai Framework – provide a strong foundation for this work.

Discussions also highlighted the role of food systems in strengthening resilience. Alongside improving food security and livelihoods, investments in sustainable food systems can help reduce emissions, restore ecosystems and make communities better prepared for future shocks through measures such as land restoration, nature-based solutions and improved water management.

As Abdulhakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, noted: “Resilience means much more than recovering after a shock. It means enabling agrifood systems to prevent, anticipate, absorb, adapt and transform in the face of risks.”

Financing for resilience was another major focus. Participants called for greater investment in preparedness, stronger support for anticipatory action and improved access to finance that enables countries to respond before crises escalate. They also emphasized the need for more predictable and flexible financing models to support long-term resilience.

Samer Abdeljaber, WFP Regional Director for the Middle East, Northern Africa and Eastern Europe, stressed the importance of acting before disasters unfold: “Finance only delivers impact if partners and governments are ready before the shock arrives.”

The discussions also identified a number of practical priorities for strengthening resilience. These included stronger early warning systems, better access to reliable data, community-led approaches, reduced post-harvest losses and greater use of digital technologies. Participants also emphasized that women, young people and local communities should be central to designing and delivering resilient food systems.

The dialogue concluded with agreement on several follow-up actions, including establishing a Technical Africa Resilience Dialogue Network to sustain peer learning, strengthen partnerships and share practical tools and experiences across countries. Participants also agreed that the Dialogue's outcomes will be presented at the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development and submitted to relevant African Union bodies to help inform implementation of the Kampala Declaration and other regional commitments.

Ambassador Seif Kandeel, Director General of the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA), said the Dialogue's discussions will help shape the agenda of the sixth Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development, ensuring that the partnerships and practical recommendations developed in Cairo continue to inform regional cooperation on food systems, climate action and resilience