Rome, 17 November 2021 (TDI): Advisor at the Royal Court Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah today met with Director General Qu Dongyu of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
At the meeting, both sides addressed issues of common concern in regard to humanitarian action. As well, they discussed food security, nutrition, and early recovery. The representatives agreed on enhancing cooperation to contribute to realizing decent living for affected and needy peoples.
New Agreements between Saudi Arabia and FAO
First and foremost, the officials signed two agreements, where the first provided a framework for cooperation. The main goal is to promote food security and combat malnutrition globally. Therefore, the agreement will identify the structure of the program and its implementation. The cooperation agreement is based on sharing knowledge and field expertise, building capacity, innovation, and exchanging invitations to participate in international events.
Meanwhile, the second agreement will implement an emergency assistance project for agricultural living conditions in Yemen. The specific population is the one affected by the humanitarian crisis and the coronavirus (COVID-19). Likewise, the program will benefit 24,030 individuals from Yemeni farming households to combat food insecurity.
In this sense, the agreement will enhance livestock production for beneficiary families that own livestock by distributing fodder and salt cubes. Moreover, it will increase the opportunities to receive food by providing them with seeds and agricultural tools. In that way, families will increase their production as well as offering them training on food security for agricultural produce and practices of raising livestock.
Following the signing ceremony, Dr. Al-Rabeeah expressed his gratitude for being in the headquarters of FAO, noting that the first agreement seeks to ensure cooperation between the two sides in several fields, while the second agreement would contribute to helping many individuals in Yemen. The officials agreed on participating in conferences, symposiums, workshops, and exhibitions that both sides organize regarding issues of mutual interest.
Arantza Renteria is a Peruvian third-year student of International Relations with a specialization in cooperation and development.
Her work experience mostly covers Middle Eastern affairs. Her area of expertise is the Levant. Among these countries, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine.
She has worked in intercultural governmental and non-governmental work environments, including the Embassy of Palestine in Lima.
Currently, she leads the Middle East and Gulf Research Desk at The Diplomatic Insight.
