Rome: Minister of Planning Rania Al-Mashat and Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Qu Dongyu, signed a Letter of Intent on Egypt's membership and hosting of the FAO Regional Leadership Academy.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the Academy, established by FAO, will serve as a regional hub for training leaders and decision-makers in public policy areas related to the transformation of agricultural and food systems. It aims to build institutional capacity and empower policymakers across the region to drive this transformation effectively and independently.

The signing took place on the sidelines of the 2025 World Food Forum (WFF), organized by FAO at its headquarters in Rome, Italy, with high-level participation from governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society.

Al-Mashat emphasized that the agreement marks an important milestone in the long-standing partnership between Egypt and FAO, reflecting Egypt's commitment to advancing sustainable development and strengthening national and regional leadership capabilities in governance and institutional transformation.

She added that this step will further deepen collaboration between Egypt and FAO to accelerate the transformation of agricultural and food systems, while facilitating dialogue among relevant institutions, policymakers, and investors - including financial institutions - to support inclusive and sustainable growth across the region.