As part of the partnership and cooperation to achieve the sustainable development goals in the Middle East and North Africa and activate the role of Arab youth, a virtual meeting was held on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, between both the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Regional Office of the Near East and the Arab Youth Network for Sustainable Development AYSDN.
Meeting Attendance
The meeting was attended by the Network President, The Network’s Executive Director, members of the Arab Youth Network for Sustainable Development (AYSDN) and the FAO Regional Representatives for the Near East and North Africa region.
Opening Speech
The meeting began with an opening speech by Ms.Dalia Abdel Fotouh, representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Regional Office of the Near East, where she introduced FAO and its role in achieving the sustainable development goals represented by helping developing countries and countries in the development phase to develop agricultural practices primarily to ensure good nutrition and food security for all.
She also stressed the strengthening of the role of young people and their greater involvement in the decision-making process and to emerge as a key factor in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
AYSDN Introduce
For his part, Mr. Tareq Hassan, President of The Network (AYSDN) introduced the Arab Youth Network for Sustainable Development, explaining the history of its founding and the ideas on which the network was founded and the importance of involving young people in all local, regional and international forums as one of the most important pillars of the development of countries. Mr. Ala al-Rebeei, Executive Director of AYSDN, explained the foundation’s work, mission, vision and future vision and clarification of common points between the two parties.
Future Prospects of the Network
The discussion continued to look for the future prospects of the network and its areas of work to create an appropriate strategy to provide the necessary support to young people and civil society organizations in the Arab region through which the network can truly work while ensuring that the required goals for sustainable development are achieved in the near East and North Africa.
The meeting resulted in future cooperation between the network and FAO and work on future meetings to work together in different areas that serve young people in the Arab region.