The scarcity of water in the Near East and North Africa is one of the most urgent food security issues in the region, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Fresh water availability is expected to drop by 50 per cent by the year 2050, which is expected to drastically affect agricultural productivity.

Ministers and experts are convening at FAO in Rome this week to discuss how to address the challenges.

Sandra Ferrari has been talking to Pasquale Steduto, the organization’s representative in Egypt, about the problem facing the Near East and North Africa.

Duration: 3’19”