SUMMARY OF IOFS WORKING PROGRAM IN QATAR FOR 1 FEBRUARY

SUMMARY OF IOFS WORKING PROGRAM IN QATAR FOR 1 FEBRUARY
02 February 2023

The IOFS delegation's work program for the 1st of February started with a visit to the Hassad Food Company established as a state investment arm of the Qatar Investment Authority in the food and agrobusiness locally and globally. The current projects promoted by the IOFS were presented to the Hassad Food underlining their role in the Food Security solution for the OIC geography. The parties agreed to have further projects’ elaboration at the technical level.

Following his first meeting, H.E.Prof. Yerlan Baidaulet met with H.E. Dr. Ahmad Hassan Al Hamadi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the meeting, the Director-General provided an overview of the essential IOFS programs and projects where the State of Qatar would provide significant support for their implementation.

Furthermore, the parties focused on strengthening the influential role of the State of Qatar within the IOFS strategy. From his side, the Secretary-General expressed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs support for the proposals discussed and agreed to continue bilateral consultations.

The Director General of IOFS HE Mr. Yerlan A. Baidaulet had a meeting with the CEO of the Qatar Investment Authority, H.E. Mansoor Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud. Parties discussed deepening partnership and strategic dialogue to implement targeted projects in the food security sphere, particularly in joining efforts to establish the IOFS Fund.

The active involvement in IOFS programming activities was on the agenda of HE Mr. Yerlan A. Baidaulet next meeting with HE Mr. Khalifa Jasem Al Kuwari, Director General of the Qatar Fund for Development, which took place on February 1, 2023. The Qatari side was provided information regarding the IOFS' operations as well as the materials required to examine the proposed projects concepts.

Another important discussion of the day was the meeting between the IOFS Director General and HE Mr. Yousef Bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Executive Director of Qatar Charity, where the IOFS’ humanitarian initiatives were considered, particularly the implementation of the global mandate on Afghanistan Food Security Program (AFSP).

After a constructive dialogue, the Qatar Charity decided to consider the possibility of supporting IOFS by facilitating immediate response projects under the AFSP as assistance with seasonal agricultural work, as well as measures to improve Afghani farmers’ skills and set up the conditions for technical equipment, as well as in the immediate measures such as sending a humanitarian convoy to the country.