On 19 September 2022, the Director General of IOFS H.E. Mr. Yerlan A. Baidaulet held another day of important working meetings in Cairo, Egypt.
The Director General accompanied by the Director of Programmes and Projects Office, Dr. Ismail Abdelhamid, conducted an extended meeting with representatives of the Centre for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE) headed by its Executive Director and former Minister of Environment of Egypt, H.E. Nadia Makram Ebied. CEDARE is an international inter-governmental organization, with diplomatic status. The Centre's mission is to provide leadership and advocate sound governance for environmental protection, through building human resources and institutional capacity, advancing applied research and environmentally friendly technologies and acting as a catalyst to enhance collaborative action between the Arab World, Europe and the International Community.
The Director-General gave an overview of IOFS foundation as the OIC specialized institution in food security, IOFS Strategic Vision 2031 and its 16 Programmes. Particular attention was given to the Programs of “Water management in agriculture”, “Climate impact / Resource management”, “Bio & AgriTech Development” and “Food security governance”. Executive Director of CEDARE also elaborated on the CEDARE current programs and projects, as well as informed on its research capacity and close partnership with national institutions. The parties agreed to have a working level meeting and identify the areas of cooperation at the mutual interest in order to conclude the memorandum of understanding that will be complemented by the Joint action plan.
The IOFS Director-General also had a productive meeting with H.E. Ms. Fatimetou Mint Mahfoudh Ould Khattry, Food Security Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania accompanied by the Ambassador of Mauritania to Egypt, H.E. Muhammad Lemine Ould. H.E. Ms. Fatimetou Khattry thanked for the organization of the training workshop on food security governance and invitation of Mauritanian officials. The IOFS Director-General updated the Food Security Commissioner on the IOFS activities for the last year, especially within the “Year of Africa”. He also emphasized on the role of private sector for ensuring food security in OIC geography, and requested the Food Security Commission to assist in establishing the good cooperation with Mauritanian Chamber of business entities in agriculture for the long-term cooperation with Islamic Food Processing Association.
H.E. Ms. Fatimetou Khattry reiterated on the role of IOFS in assisting member countries to address food insecurity problems, as Sahel region countries, including Mauritania face challenges of drought and security issues that exacerbate the food security problems. She requested the IOFS to provide the technical assistance to Mauritania in maintain the food security reserves. The parties agreed to have the working level meeting with concerned experts to identify the technical aspects of cooperation.
