Director-General and Deputy Head of Mission of Oman reflected on the programmes of IOFS

Director-General of IOFS H.E. Yerlan Baidaulet paid a visit to the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman on October 14, 2020, to negotiate the accession of Oman to the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) with the Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Salah Salem Jaboob.

Sultanate of Oman is an important partner of IOFS. Director-General notified the Deputy about the upcoming preparatory events to the Third General Assembly, such asa the meeting of Centres of Excellence for Rice and the Sixth Executive Board meeting. He also informed about the first introductory meeting of Centres of Excellence for Wheat held prior to his visit to the embassy of Oman. ASG for Science and Technology H.E. Askar Mussinov inaugurated the session, which was attended by the research institutions from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

The head of IOFS presented the strategic programmes of IOFS and reported on the latest updates, such as the development of new concept notes. The seven new programmes are to be presented and likely adopted at the Third General Assembly. Together they cover all aspects of food security in the OIC region.

On a final note, Director-General hoped for closer collaboration within the membership as IOFS prioritizes its member states over non-members. Director-General let the diplomat know the mandatory fee and assured it would reduce as more countries join the IOFS. He clarified that the agenda and programmes IOFS are designed to serve the member countries, not the organization itself. IOFS is one of the very few international bodies taking care of food security, and its activities are of unique nature.