Astana, Kazakhstan - On 18 December 2024, the Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn met with H.E. Marcel Fortuna Biato, the newly appointed Ambassador of Brazil to Kazakhstan, at the IOFS Headquarters in Astana. The meeting was centered around strengthening collaboration on global food security, agricultural innovation, and climate action, as well as exploring partnerships between Brazil and the IOFS member states.
During the discussions, the Director General welcomed Ambassador Biato and congratulated him on his appointment, acknowledging Brazil's growing importance as a global leader in food security and sustainable development. The two sides expressed mutual interest in fostering closer ties, particularly in the areas of technology transfer, agriculture and livestock development, as well as climate resilience. The importance of Brazil's leadership in the agri-food sector and its potential role in addressing food security challenges within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States was highlighted. To note, the agriculture sector of Brazil is historically one of the principal bases of Brazil's economy. Brazil is one of the largest producers of various agricultural commodities, and also has a large cooperative sector that provides 50% of the food in the country. As of 2024 the country is the second biggest grain exporter in the world, with 19% of the international market share, and the fourth overall grain producer. The country also has a significant presence as producer and exporter of rice, wheat, eggs, refined sugar, cocoa, beans, nuts, cassava, sisal fiber, and diverse fruits and vegetables.
Ambassador Aryn provided a comprehensive overview of IOFS's work, including key programs such as the Afghanistan Food Security Program, the African Food Security Initiative and others. These initiatives are aimed at tackling food insecurity, enhancing agricultural resilience, and preserving biodiversity across the OIC region. In turn, Ambassador Biato shared insights into Brazil’s agricultural advancements and expressed interest in deepening collaboration with IOFS on strategic projects aimed at addressing mutual challenges in food security and sustainable agriculture.
In addition, both sides emphasized the potential for closer collaboration between IOFS and Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, as well as the International Islamic Food Processing Association (IFPA), a B2B arm of IOFS.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of IOFS’s commitment to establishing bilateral cooperation with Brazil, focusing on strategic commodities, technology transfer, and capacity-building initiatives. Both parties expressed optimism about the potential impact of future collaborations in advancing food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agricultural practices within both Brazil and the broader OIC Member States.
