How is the Arab world facing up to the world food crisis that emerged years ago and worsened in the aftermath of the global financial crisis? What is the future of Arab food security as the regional food gap widens and in light of the initiatives and programs that have been launched in number of Arab countries? And what are the Arab food integration elements?

These questions and others will provide the essential background and bases for discussions at the “Arab Food Security Forum” that will take place on 27-28 September, 2012 at Four Seasons Hotel-Beirut, under the auspices of H.E. Mr. Najib Mikati, the Prime Minister of Lebanon.

The Forum is organized jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture in Lebanon and Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group in cooperation with several international and Arab bodies, notably The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Main topics and issues on its agenda include:

• Evolution of the global food crisis.
• The widening Arab food gap despite the large agricultural potential of the region.
• Arab initiatives in the field of food safety.
• Role of International and Arab organizations.
• Arab investments in agriculture domestically and abroad: Realities and obstacles
• Arab food and food packaging industries.
• Fish, poultry and livestock, and meat and dairy production in the Arab world.
• Production of fertilizers, pesticides and agricultural and irrigation tools and machinery.
• Food safety, quality improvement and application of international standards and specifications.
• Use of modern technology in agricultural production and food processing.

The Forum will be accompanied by a special exhibition/trade fair with country and company pavilions to showcase agricultural development plans and projects, agricultural production and exports, food industries, and other agriculture related products and activities.