On 23 August 2021, Their Excellencies the Director-General of Islamic Organization of Food Security (IOFS), Mr. Yerlan A. Baidaulet, and Ambassador Tarig Bakheet, Assistant Secretary-General for Cultural, Social and Humanitarian Affairs of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), met virtually to discuss ways and means to pursue bilateral cooperation, particularly in the field of humanitarian affairs. Mr. Baidaulet was assisted at the Meeting by Dr. Ismail Abdelhamid, Director of Programs, and Mr. Abdula Manafi Mutualo, Senior Liaison Officer.
The Director-General made a general briefing of the main important areas of IOFS intervention, which, as an OIC Specialized Institution, would welcome close cooperation with the OIC International Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs Department (ICHAD) in implementing two of its important programs, including the Flour for Humanity (E/15) and Qurbani Meat (E/16), especially on its logistics and funding so as to reach as many as possible beneficiaries in the OIC Member States.
Ambassador Bakheet, on his side, welcomed the timely holding of the meeting and proposed that such bilateral cooperation needed to be consolidated through a letter of intent in which joint projects are highlighted for implementation and inclusion in relevant OIC humanitarian frameworks, including resolutions of the 48th Council of Foreign Ministers to be held next year in Islamabad, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and within the Matrix of UN-OIC Cooperation Meeting to be held before the end of 2021.
The two sides agreed to exchange letters and continue consultations; they shared a sentiment that all other relevant OIC and international fora will be an opportunity for personal exchanges on issues discussed at the meeting and other matters of mutual concern that may arise in the future.
