Mozambique and IOFS Discuss Bilateral Cooperation

The first high-level technical meeting between the Republic of Mozambique and the Islamic Organization of Food Security (IOFS) took place on 22 September 2021 virtually under the chairmanship of Their Excellencies the Mozambican Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Olegário dos Anjos Banze, and the IOFS Director-General, Mr. Yerlan A. Baidaulet.

The meeting served to initiate official consultations strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in funding and investment mechanisms within public-private partnerships in that African IOFS Member State with emphasis on projects related to the development of family agriculture and livestock, as well some strategic commodities for Mozambique, including almonds, oil-seeds, cashew nuts, sunflower, etc. 

The two dignitaries decided that, in principle, they would meet personally on the sidelines of the 8^th Ministerial Conference on Food Security and Agricultural Development (MCFSAD), scheduled to take place in Istanbul, the Republic of Turkey, on 25-27 October 2021, for following-up exchanges on issues discussed at the meeting and other matters of mutual concern that may arise in future.

It should be mentioned here that it was also agreed that an IOFS Senior Official is to be in Maputo in early November 2021 to have in-person consultations with relevant Departments at the Ministry of Agriculture and Institutions, including the National Council on Food Security and Nutrition.