Former FAO Ambassador to the United Nations and Secretary-General of the National Alliance to Combat Hunger, Dr. Fadel ELZUBI, told Petra that His Majesty the King’s remarks today constitute strategic governance to confront shocks and crises that have not yet occurred. They reflect the management of food security reserves through a continuous information bank on regional and global developments, preparing Jordan for all eventualities.
He added that His Majesty’s heightened awareness of food security has been consistent since 2008, during the global financial crisis, followed by the refugee influx, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia–Ukraine war, the events of October 7, the Iranian–American–Israeli conflict, and the Strait of Hormuz crisis affecting supply chains. Through this royal vision, Jordan has remained present and secure in its food supply.
ELZUBI explained that Jordan advances on four global food security indicators, consistently achieving full marks in reserve adequacy during crises. In some commodities, reserves cover up to 12 months, which is considered excellent by international standards, placing Jordan ahead of its regional peers despite ongoing challenges.
He emphasized that this progress was not accidental but the result of sound planning at all levels—through an advanced social protection system, safeguarding citizens’ dignity, adherence to a strategic reserve policy covering up to 12 months, and a protected health environment. His Majesty highlighted two essential principles of food security: sufficiency and safety. Sufficiency means reserves lasting 8–10 months, while safety means reserves secure for 12 months. This requires careful study of markets, supply chains, local production, and reserve management, alongside measures to mitigate price spikes and protect citizens from the inflationary waves that accompany crises.
ELZUBI noted that His Majesty stressed proactive plans for food security, which are vital to protect reserves, shield the state treasury from sharp price increases, and strengthen partnerships with the private sector for storage and management. This royal governance places food security at the top of Jordan’s national priorities.
Following the COVID-19 crisis, and under direct royal guidance, Jordan adopted a nine-year National Food Security Strategy (2021–2030), emphasizing agriculture as the cornerstone of food security. In water-challenged countries like Jordan, the private industrial and commercial sectors play an increasing role in ensuring food availability and sustainability, despite regional violence, forced migration, and climate change pressures.
Jordanian institutions committed to implementing this strategy and proactive plans, enabling the country to overcome the pandemic, regional upheavals, and the Russia–Ukraine crisis. These challenges pushed Jordan to adapt to future risks through strong public–private partnerships, ensuring high-quality, affordable food for all residents despite global inflationary pressures.
In 2020, His Majesty presented key pillars during the Borlaug Dialogue, which became a roadmap for global and regional responses to food security crises. The Jordanian government adopted these pillars in drafting the National Food Security Strategy and its executive plan, beginning with the formation of the National Food Security Committee in partnership with ministries, government institutions, the private sector, civil society, international organizations, and development partners.
Jordan institutionalized food security by establishing the Higher Council for Food Security, which improved Jordan’s performance on international indicators and elevated food security to a national priority. This was driven by urbanization, globalization, climate change, global price volatility, and the Syrian refugee crisis. Notably, Jordan’s first agricultural policy in 1992 already emphasized food security, with numerous studies commissioned by local and international stakeholders. The current strategy is a direct response to the urgent need for food security as a prerequisite for national, human, and regional security.
The strategy envisions Jordan as a regional hub for food security—serving as a center for storage, logistics, agricultural production, food processing, irrigation systems, greenhouses, knowledge transfer, modern technologies, and emergency services for neighboring countries.