On June 24,2023, the Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), HE Prof. Yerlan Alimzhanuly Baidaulet actively led the delegation of the IOFS at the United Nations Food Systems Summit +2 (UNFSS+2) Stocktaking Moment, which is being held in Rome, Italy from 24 – 26 July 2023. The crucial event unfolded at the premises of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) graciously facilitated by Italy in collaboration with Rome-based UN Agencies (FAO, IFAD, WFP), the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, and the wider UN system. To note, Prof. Baidaulet's participation came upon the personal invitation from Mr. Stefanos Fotiou, Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, underscoring IOFS’s significant role at the summit.
The first day of the Summit provided an opportunity for countries to review progress on the commitments to action and identify successes, as well as identifying paths to endure challenges by effectively and efficiently utilizing the Means of Implementation for food systems transformation. The IOFS participated in the Plenary Sessions on School Meals Powering Food System Transformation and Financing Food Systems Transformation, as well as Leadership Dialogues on Stakeholder Roundtable.
Prof. Yerlan A. Baidaulet also had the opportunity to meet and engage in meaningful discussions with several high-profile figures on the sidelines of the Summit, including with Ms. Agnes Kalibata, the current President of AGRA and former UN Food Systems Coordinator and Ms. Ismahane Elouafi, Chief Scientiest of FAO. The working program of the IOFS was then followed by high level meetings with the Chairman of the IOFS HE Dr.Masoud Al-Marri and the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, HE Mr. Yerbol Karashukeyev.
