Astana, Kazakhstan, 23 July 2024 - The Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), Ambassador Berik Aryn hosted bilateral discussions with key partners, further strengthening collaborative efforts towards enhancing food security and agricultural development within Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States.
1. Meeting with Mr. Ihsan Övüt, Secretary General of The Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC)
IOFS Director General, Amb. Berik Aryn, expressed gratitude for the excellent cooperation with the Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries, highlighting SMIIC’s participation in IOFS’s recent webinar commemorating World Safety Day. Both parties affirmed their commitment to joint initiatives and confirmed IOFS’s participation in the upcoming 10th World Halal Summit in Istanbul, Turkiye, underscoring preparations for IOFS’s session.
2. Meeting with Dr. Ibrahim Shoukry, Head of Islamic Development Bank Group Regional Hub Kazakhstan
During the meeting the sides reaffirmed their strong relationship and explored potential areas of collaboration to build a sustainable partnership. Dr. Shoukry congratulated Amb. Aryn on his recent election as Director General of IOFS, expressing confidence in his leadership and wishing him success. The meeting focused on reinforcing the relationship between the two institutions and establishing a win-win cooperation framework. The IsDB representative, highlighting IOFS's specialization in food security, agriculture, and rural development in the OIC geography, assured of IsDB's readiness to support IOFS in various capacity-building programs.
3. Meeting with Dr. Abdulhakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General, Regional Representative for Near East and North Africa, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
The meeting highlighted the mutual commitment of both institutions to enhance collaboration. Dr. El-Waer emphasized FAO's readiness to work closely with IOFS in implementing projects and conducting joint events. He underscored the importance of capacity building for member states in critical areas such as water management, food security governance, and pest and disease control. Ambassador Aryn expressed IOFS's enthusiasm for this partnership, noting the significant impact that collaborative efforts with FAO could have on addressing key challenges faced by OIC Member States. Both parties agreed on the importance of leveraging their combined expertise to foster sustainable agricultural development and food security across the region.
4. Meeting with Dr. Dina Saleh, Regional Director of Near East, North Africa, and Europe Division (NEN), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Dr. Saleh provided an overview of IFAD's strategic directions and ongoing projects aimed at improving agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods in the region. She emphasized IFAD's dedication to fostering sustainable development and expressed a strong interest in collaborating with IOFS on joint initiatives. Ambassador Aryn expressed IOFS's desire to strengthen collaboration with IFAD, noting that their combined efforts could significantly advance food security and agricultural development in member states. Both parties agreed to explore specific projects and programs where their cooperation could yield substantial benefits. This meeting marks a promising step towards building a closer partnership between IOFS and IFAD, aiming to leverage their shared expertise and resources to support sustainable development goals within the OIC geography.
5. Meeting with Ms. Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, Director General of the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC)
During the meeting, Amb. Aryn highlighted the importance of the joint activities under the 7th Annual Coordination Meeting of OIC Institutions (ACMOI) Matrix. Looking ahead, both IOFS and SESRIC are considering joint frameworks for upcoming activities, focusing on digital and climate smart farming, digital and green skills development, and introducing innovative agricultural approaches across beneficiary countries. Furthermore, the sides agreed on a long-term flagship project focusing on food security and agriculture to enhance sustainability and amplify impact beyond the existing collaboration area.
To conclude, these meetings underscore IOFS’s commitment to fostering strategic partnerships, leveraging expertise, and pooling resources towards achieving sustainable agricultural development and food security across OIC Member States.
