APN | Zoom
9–10 February 2026
Razan Zuayter, Chairperson of APN and Founder of the Arab Network for Food Sovereignty (ANFS), called out the lack of engagement by relevant international organisations — particularly the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) — in addressing critical issues in the region, notably the ongoing weaponisation of food in countries such as Palestine and Lebanon.
Her remarks came on the first day of the Regional Consultative Technical Meeting ahead of the 38th session of the FAO Regional Conference for the Near East. She drew attention to the spraying of toxic herbicides by Israeli occupation forces on agricultural lands in southern Lebanon – a blatant violation of Lebanese sovereignty and striking example of how food is weaponised across the region. She called on Arab nations to take decisive action against the deliberate destruction of agricultural capacities and collective sanctions that jeopardize regional food security.
Zuayter also called for institutionalised cooperation between civil society organisations, the FAO, and member states via genuine participatory mechanisms – particularly in Gaza, where the agricultural sector has suffered extensive destruction. She noted that only 2% of agricultural land remains suitable for cultivation, emphasizing that the FAO could play a pivotal role in supporting this recovery.
She backed Iraq’s representative in calling for Arab agricultural integration, emphasizing that food sovereignty and the protection of national decision-making cannot be achieved without strong collaboration among Arab states.
Zuayter further called on UN food agencies, especially the FAO, to involve local communities in identifying their needs and providing agricultural inputs to conflict-affected areas such as Sudan and Gaza. She pointed out clear shortcomings in the performance of some UN organisations and highlighted what can be achieved by drawing on APN’s experience of supporting 808 farmers in Gaza, which contributed to producing around 10 million kilograms of vegetables despite receiving almost no support from international food security bodies.
Over the two days, sessions discussed regional priorities, reviewing issues to be presented at the next Regional Conference – a key preparatory step for the 38th session. The meetings aim to assess regional priorities in food security, agriculture, water, and climate change, exchange expertise on shared challenges (such as water scarcity, climate adaptation, and support for small farmers), and develop technical recommendations and policies for ministerial approval. They also explored ways to strengthen coordination with international partners, including development funds and donors, to ensure financing and technical support for agricultural projects in the region.
The FAO Regional Conference is held every two years and serves as a central platform for shaping the regional position on agriculture and food security issues and linking them to global sustainable development agendas.
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