On 09 October 2020, Director General of the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS) Mr. Yerlan Baidaulet visited Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in the Republic of Kazakhstan to discuss with Ambassador Abdeljalil Saubry current cooperation between IOFS and government of Morocco and to follow-up on previous meetings between both sides.
The IOFS delegation was received with special respect and in an affable mood. During the meeting, it was agreed that the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco would continue to take an active part in the programming activities of IOFS. Mr Ambassador assured that the Moroccan’s accession to the IOFS is under consultation between the concerned department in Morocco. The Director-General noted that it is planned to hold the 3rd General Assembly of IOFS online (from Istanbul, Turkey) on December 2-3 of this year, and the parties discussed the issue of using the platform of this event for the solemn signing of the IOFS Statute and development of close relations with the Secretariat and all member states.
Mr. Yerlan Baidaulet briefed Ambassador Abdeljalil Saubry on the strategic programs of IOFS, including the Development of Strategic Commodities and Centers of Excellence, creation of Regional Food Reserves, Grain Fund, National Gene Banks, and the Food Balance Database etc. Moreover, at the meeting, Head of Project office IOFS Sheikh Bilal Khan briefly presented the concept of International Islamic Food Processing Association (IFPA) and highlighted key aspects of the Project Office's work, such as the development of the unified Halal Food market, the intra-OIC food supply chains and the reduction of post-harvest losses etc. During the presentation, Sheikh Bilal emphasized Morocco’s great agro-potential to be one of the regional OIC food hubs.
Following the meeting, Mr. Ambassador assured that the Moroccan government is ready to examine the possibilities of cooperation related to the implementation of the programs and initiatives of the organization. In this regard, His Excellency pointed out their readiness to take part in updating the IOFS Food Balance Database and providing data for official verification. Furthermore, Mr. Ambassador was keen to support IOFS by informing domestic food associations/unions, chambers of commerce and private sectors of the Kingdom about on-going IFPA-in-house activities in order to facilitate mutual trade and economic relations between OIC countries.
