Abu Dhabi, UAE – November 26, 2024 – On the sidelines of the Global Food Security Summit (GFSS) 2024, the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) reinforced its commitment to combating food insecurity through bilateral meetings and impactful panel discussions.
The Director General of IOFS, Ambassador Berik Aryn held several high-level bilateral meetings to reinforce partnerships and explore new opportunities for collaboration. During a meeting with Saeed Al Bahri Salem Al Ameri, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (هيئة أبوظبي للزراعة والسلامة الغذائية ADAFSA), the two sides exchanged views on enhancing existing cooperation initiated through GFSS and Abu Dhabi Global Food Week. Discussions also included formalizing the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding to institutionalize joint efforts.
Ambassador Berik Aryn also met with Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, H.E. Hon. Frank Kagyigyi Tumwebaze, to discuss Uganda’s active role in IOFS programs, including its participation as a pilot country in the Resilient Goat Breeds Restocking Initiative. The meeting reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to regional food security and explored avenues to deepen collaboration within IOFS’s strategic framework.
The IOFS Director General held productive discussions with H.E. Alaaeldin Farouk Zaki Elsayed, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The meeting focused on strengthening ties between IOFS and Egypt, including collaborative efforts to advance sustainable agricultural practices, enhance food security, and support capacity-building initiatives in Egypt and the broader region.
Additionally, IOFS Director General, Ambassador Aryn held discussions with Mr. AbdulHakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa. The meeting underscored the mutual commitment of IOFS and FAO to advancing food security initiatives in the region, fostering knowledge exchange, and enhancing capacity-building efforts across member states.
In parallel, in the panel discussion “Revolutionizing Farming in Arid Lands,” Dr. Ismail Abdelhamid, IOFS Director of Projects Department, emphasized IOFS’s role in advancing sustainable agriculture in challenging environments. The session explored groundbreaking techniques such as drip irrigation and solar-powered desalination, showcasing how deserts can be transformed into fertile lands. Dr. Abdelhamid underscored IOFS’s commitment to scaling these innovations across arid regions while addressing challenges like resource management and climate change adaptation.
During the Fireside Chat on Emergency Food Aid in Crisis Zones, Mr. Emre Yuksek, Project Manager of IOFS shared insights into addressing food insecurity in conflict zones. He highlighted the “Flour for Humanity” initiative, delivering fortified wheat flour to Gaza, and the Afghanistan Food Security Program, which supports farmers with essential agricultural inputs. Mr. Yuksek emphasized the importance of combining emergency aid with long-term resilience strategies to empower vulnerable communities.
At the side event, “How Climate Change Reshapes Agriculture,” Dr. Abdelaziz Hajjaji, IOFS Program Manager for Climate-Smart Agriculture, underscored IOFS’s efforts to integrate advanced technologies and promote sustainable farming practices to mitigate climate-related risks.
Through these initiatives IOFS remains steadfast in addressing global food security challenges by championing innovative programs and fostering partnerships to build resilient and sustainable food systems across Member States.
