The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), at its twenty-eighth session held in Tunis from 15 to 18 September 2014, adopted resolution 320 (XXVIII) on redesignating the Technical Committee as the “Executive Committee” and amending its terms of reference, so that it may play a greater role in steering and coordinating all ESCWA activities, pursuant to a recommendation made by the Technical Committee at its eighth  meeting, held in Amman from 10 to 12 December 2013.

The Arab region faces a number of structural challenges to food security and nutrition. These include high population growth rates, a limited natural resource base, especially with regard to land and water, the impact of climate change and the heavy reliance of international markets on food imports. The region also has a relatively high prevalence of undernourishment, caused by nutrient deficiencies and is relatively unique in the sense that obesity and the problems associated with it are on the increase.