Syria participates in the second Arab Forum for Equality in Beirut

Beirut (ST): Syria is participating in the second Arab Forum (For Equality) organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, under the title (One Voice, Equality in Food Security).

The forum, which was launched yesterday, will last for two days, with the participation of a number of ministers and delegates concerned with planning, social development, agriculture, economy, trade and youth issues, in addition to representatives of regional organizations, civil society networks, academic institutions, international think tanks and representatives of United Nations agencies operating in the Arab region.

Regarding the Syria’s participation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform stated in a post on its official facebook page today that the Minister of Agriculture, Eng. Muhammad Hassan Qatana reviewed during the forum the situation of the Syrian agriculture, the conditions and challenges it faced and the damage it suffered from during the years of the terrorist war that was on the country.

Qatana also talked about the repercussions of the “Corona” epidemic and the economic sanctions imposed on it which affected securing the requirements of agricultural production and food security.

Qatana pointed to the importance of achieving food security by taking advantage of the opportunities available to the countries of the region, building on the resources available in each country, achieving integration among them, creating links between the food security strategies adopted by each country and relying on research centers to develop programs concerned with increasing productivity.

The Minister noted the necessity of facilitating intra-regional trade between countries, establishing a joint Arab fund for the management of disasters that affect agricultural production, reviewing the Arab strategy for reducing disaster risks in the light of climate changes, and creating an early warning system concerned with food security issues.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor stated on its page that the delegation includes the Deputy Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Yasser Abdel-Ahmad, and the Director of Non-Governmental Organizations, Mahmoud Al-Kawa.

The ministry indicated that the delegation discussed with the Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States and Head of the Social Affairs Sector, Ambassador Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, many issues related to activating Syrian participation within the social affairs sector in the League, in a way that enhances bilateral and multilateral cooperation relations with Arab countries.

The ministry indicated that the delegation also discussed with the Palestinian Minister of Social Development, Dr. Ahmed Majdalani, and the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs in Sudan, Dr. Jamal Al-Nabil, issues related to the exchange of experiences in the field of social development, the family referral system, economic empowerment, joint coordination, and bilateral cooperation in the fields of social work.

K.Q.