UN Agencies Spotlight Food Security, Industrial Development, and Child Protection Priorities in Egypt

The United Nations Information Centre Cairo organized the first United Nations media briefing of 2026 for UN agencies in Egypt on 21 May 2026, bringing together representatives from World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to highlight key humanitarian, development, industrial, and child protection priorities in Egypt.

During the briefing, Ms. Rawad Halabi, Representative and Country Director of WFP Egypt, discussed the growing impact of global geopolitical shocks on food security, including disruptions affecting fuel, fertilizer, and food supply chains. WFP also highlighted its cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture to promote climate-smart agricultural practices across 120 villages under the “Haya Karima” initiative, benefiting nearly 750,000 farmers through training programmes, improved seeds, and solar-powered irrigation systems. Ms. Halabi emphasized the importance of strengthening resilience, supporting vulnerable communities, and investing in sustainable food systems.

Mr. Mohamed Salama, Media and Communications Officer at UNIDO Egypt, together with Mr. Ahmed Kamal, National Project Coordinator, presented several initiatives aimed at strengthening food security and industrial competitiveness. UNIDO announced the organization of the “FoodGuard Global Summit,” scheduled to take place from 1 to 4 June 2026 at Al Manara International Conference Center in Cairo, with the participation of regional and international experts specializing in food safety and food security.

UNIDO also highlighted progress under the Tomato Value Chain Project, including the establishment of the Tomato Learning and Services Center (TLSC) at the Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, aimed at promoting innovation, food safety, technology transfer, and value-added agro-industrial production.

In addition, updates were shared on the European Union-funded programme supporting trade, industry, growth, and rapid market access, which aims to strengthen industrial policies, enhance quality infrastructure, and support industrial clusters across several governorates, including textiles, dates production, medicinal and aromatic plants, and honey production.

In the closing session, Ms. Salma El Fawal, Child Protection Programme Manager at UNICEF Egypt, addressed the issue of protecting children in the digital environment, highlighting the growing risks and challenges facing children online, including cyberbullying, digital exploitation, and harmful online content.

UNICEF emphasized the importance of raising digital awareness and strengthening child protection systems, as well as enhancing cooperation among institutions, families, educators, and the technology sector to ensure a safer digital environment for children. The organization also stressed the importance of legislation, awareness campaigns, digital literacy, and survivor support services as part of a comprehensive approach to protecting children in digital spaces.