The IOFS delegation, led by Mr. Sofian Meddeb , Advisor of the Cabinet of the Director General of the IOFS, and accompanied by Dr. Mohamed Elkaramany, Dr. Muhammad Asif Kamran, and Mr. Bakytzhan Arystanbek, attended the 19th Annual General Meeting of RUFORUM Network in Yaounde, Cameroon from October 30 to November 2, 2023.
Upon arrival, the delegation held a working meeting with Mr. Maine, an IOFS Executive Board member, to apprise him of IOFS's participation at the event, introduce academia experts from #Egypt and #Pakistan, and express gratitude for his role on the Executive Board.
During the conference, the IOFS delegation actively engaged in various activities, including the Official Opening of the Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference, side events, committee meetings, and an exhibition showcasing posters from Cameroon universities.
Mr. Sofian Ben Mouaddeb delivered a keynote address focusing on "Accelerating Economic Growth: Trends, Youth, Policy, and Futures." He highlighted IOFS's commitment to fostering stronger partnerships with African member countries, particularly aimed at enhancing youth skills in agriculture for regional food security.
The presentation also emphasized the successful "Year of Africa" program in 2022 and shed light on the objectives and direction of the Africa Food Security Initiative (AFSI), a mandate the IOFS leads as per the 49th OIC/CFM. This initiative underscores IOFS's dedication to instigating positive change in the agricultural sector of African member countries.
Throughout the conference, the delegation participated in informal meetings with various stakeholders, including academia, international organizations, research entities, government representatives, and civil society members, facilitating exchanges and collaborations.
