IMPORTANT WORKING MEETINGS WITHIN IOFS’S VISIT TO UAE

IMPORTANT WORKING MEETINGS WITHIN IOFS’S VISIT TO UAE
18 February 2022
On 17 February 2022, the Director General of IOFS H.E. Mr. Yerlan A. Baidaulet had several important meetings in Dubai, UAE. The IOFS delegation led by the Director General consisted of the Director of Cabinet Mr. Nursalim Suleimenov and Program Manager Mr. Bakytzhan Arystanbek.
 
The Director General started his meetings by one with the extended delegation of Dubai International Humanitarian City (IHC) headed by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Giuseppe Saba. IHC is the largest humanitarian hub in the world and the only non-profit, independent, humanitarian free-zone Authority hosting a community of around 80 members comprised of UN organisations, non-profits and non-governmental organisations, in addition to commercial companies. IHC CEO also provided a presentation and made hand-on introduction of IHC works. The IOFS Director General gave an overview of IOFS foundation as the OIC specialized institution, IOFS Strategic Framework and IOFS Strategy 2031. Particular attention was given to the IOFS humanitarian programs and Afghanistan Food Security Programme. The sides discussed the possible areas of cooperation and agreed to explore concrete steps in collaboration, such as an OIC representation at the enabling environment of IHC.
 
Following the day program, the Director General conducted a very productive meeting with H.E. Mr. Saeed Mohammad Al Eter, Director General of the Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also Assistant Secretary General of the charitable foundation, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI). The IOFS delegation was also joined by Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to UAE H.E. Mr. Madiyar Menlibekov.

 
Established in 2015, MBRGI under its umbrella now combining over 30 humanitarian initiatives and entities are primarily devoted to supporting and empowering vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. Some key humanitarian aid and relief operations operated by MBRGI entities were particularly discussed, also under its framework diverse initiatives to settle the emergency situation in Afghanistan were considered.
 
The IOFS Director General elaborated on the IOFS Strategic framework, Strategic Vision 2031, Food Security Programs. The parties reviewed several areas that represent the mutual interest and opportunities for joint cooperation, particularly, H.E. Mr. Saeed Mohammad Al Eter assured the support of MBRGI to IOFS immediate humanitarian relief programs, as well as other IOFS initiatives in the long-term perspectives. Also, it was noted that MBRGI can play an important role in promoting best practices in other areas, such as countering food wastage, development projects.
 
Subsequently, the meeting of the IOFS delegation with representatives of Regional Office of the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID) with joining the Headquaters in Khartoum via Zoom was complemented by introductory presentations by both sides on the vision, strategy, objectives and programs/projects. Also, the discussion was devoted to the discussion of initiatives enabling intra-OIC trade and cross-border investments to build up value chains of domestic food processing networks through platform of IFPA, creating an effective traceability system for verifying healthy and safety food programs to provide an end-to-end OIC-wide harmonised and seamless approach.

 
Final meeting of the day was hold with Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi. IOFS Director General H.E. Yerlan A. Baidaulet expressed appreciation to the UAE Government on excellent organization of the World EXPO and along with request to promote the IOFS AFSP among UAE authorities and humanitarian organizations, Director General conveyed also IOFS plan to hold a Donor Conference on Afghanistan in May 2022 in Dubai and possible commitment of UAE authorities in the event.