IOFS officially presents its headquarters and commences the 4th Executive Board meeting

IOFS officially presents its headquarters and commences the 4th Executive Board meeting
25 December 2019
On 11 December, Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) held a grand opening ceremony of its headquarters for distinguished guests that included Members of the IOFS Executive Board, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, AIFC, heads of diplomatic corps of OIC countries and other foreign delegates.

The event started with a recitation of Verses of Quran, followed by the national anthem of Kazakhstan. Director General Yerlan Baidaulet delivered a welcoming address and thanked the participants for attending the event. Chairman of the Executive Board representing Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz Alhouweish spoke about food security as one of the world's most vital issues that becomes ever more relevant with rapid population growth and subsequent increase in food demand. Mr. Alhouweish stated that Saudi Arabia would continue its support for IOFS activities and help it achieve food security on a national, regional and international levels.

Vice Minister of Agriculture Nurbek Dairbekov briefed the audience on the Grain Fund project and its aims to create food reserves and provide humanitarian help to member states in emergency conditions. Dairbekov claimed the establishment of the International Islamic Food Processing Association would improve the competitiveness of the region, aid its economic development and fulfill potential of the food industries and enterprises of member states of IOFS.

The last speaker, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Shakhrat Nuryshev expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for assisting IOFS to arrange the Second General Assembly, which helped to formulate a strategic vision and main tasks of the organization. Nuryshev called on member countries of OIC to join IOFS membership and utilize resources and opportunities of member states to resolve food insecurity issues.



After the welcoming addresses, the ribbon was officially cut by First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Shakhrat Nuryshev and Vice Minister of Agriculture Nurbek Dairbekov. The event ended with an office presentation and signage of Memorandum of Understanding with National Agrarian Scientific-Educational Center (NASEC) represented by Chief Executive Officer Toleutay Rakhimbekov.







Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) was created upon the initiative of the First President of Kazakhstan – Leader of the Nation, Nursultan Nazarbayev in 2013. 34 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and South America hold IOFS membership. The organization focuses on strengthening food security in member states, the creation of food reserves and coordination of agricultural policies among many other activities.IOFS is a specialised institution of Organisation for Islamic Collaboration (OIC), the second-largest international organization after the United Nations.