Baghdad, Iraq - 22 January 2025 – His Excellency Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), has successfully concluded a productive two-day official visit to Baghdad. The mission aimed to strengthen collaboration in food security, sustainable agriculture, and climate resilience, reinforcing Iraq’s active engagement with the OIC Member States under the IOFS framework.
During his visit, H.E. Ambassador Aryn held high-level discussions with key officials in Iraq, including:
• H.E. Ambassador Shorsh Khalid Said, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral and Legal Affairs: H.E. Ambassador Aryn expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to the IOFS delegation and acknowledged Iraq’s landmark decision to join IOFS during the 8th Ministerial Conference on Food Security and Agricultural Development (MCFSAD) in Doha, October 2023. He emphasized the visit’s purpose to explore avenues for joint collaboration in food security and agricultural development. In response, H.E. Ambassador Shorsh Khalid congratulated H.E. Ambassador Aryn on his election as IOFS Director General and expressed Iraq’s commitment to building a strong and productive partnership with IOFS.
• Dr. Mithaq Abdul Hussein Al-Khafaji, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture: In a key meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Al-Khafaji welcomed H.E. Ambassador Aryn and highlighted Iraq’s vast agricultural potential, including its rich natural resources and extensive expertise. Discussions also addressed pressing challenges, including desertification and the impacts of climate change. H.E. Ambassador Aryn thanked Iraq for its active participation in IOFS initiatives and emphasized the importance of establishing a roadmap for collaboration. The roadmap would outline actionable steps to enhance food security and agricultural sustainability in Iraq and across the OIC geography. Following the meeting, both sides participated in an extended session with senior officials to consult on implementing innovative solutions for shared challenges.
• H.E. Mr. Minister Aoun Diab, Minister of Water Resources: H.E. Ambassador Aryn also met with H.E. Mr. Minister Aoun Diab Abdullah to explore opportunities for cooperation in water resource management and irrigation modernization. Both sides underscored the critical need for innovative strategies to rationalize water usage and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on Iraq’s agricultural sector.
This visit represents a significant milestone in strengthening strategic partnerships between IOFS and the Republic of Iraq. It reflects IOFS’s commitment to fostering impactful collaborations that address key challenges in food security, agriculture, water resources and climate adaptation.
