Banjul, Republic of The Gambia – 05 May 2024 – The 15th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) came to its conclusion today in the Gambian capital Banjul, under the Chairmanship of President of The Gambia, H. E. Mr. Adama Barrow, with adoption of three important documents, including the “Banjul Declaration”, Resolution on the Issue of Palestine and Al-Quds Ash-Sharif, and the Final Communiqué, which reiterated the support for the work the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) undertakes in the field of humanitarian affairs, while calling for the remaining OIC Member States yet to join the Organization to do so at their earliest convenience.
The second and last day of Summit was yet another opportunity seized H.E. Amb. Berik Aryn, IOFS Director General, to engage in diverse bilateral consultations with participating Member States. Notably were the courtesy calls with Their Excellencies the Presidents of the Republic of Djibouti and Republic of Senegal, respectively Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh and Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to particularly express appreciation for their unwavering support towards consolidating the IOFS growth and implementation of its relevant activities.
Amb. Aryn also engaged in consultations on matters related to ratification of the IOFS Statute with Their Excellencies Mr. Tiemoko Meyliet Koné, Vice-President of the Republic of Cote D’Ivoire, and Mr. Karamoko Jean Traore, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Burkina Faso.
With the delegation of the Republic of Mozambique, headed by His Excellency Mr. Filimão Joaquim Suaze, Mozambican Deputy Minister of Justice, the discussions were around the need for strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in funding and investment mechanisms within public-private partnerships in that African IOFS Member State with emphasis on projects related to development of family agriculture and livestock, as well some strategic commodities for Mozambique, which the country is to accordingly submit later to IOFS.
Additionally, there were consultations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Togo, His Excellency Mr. Robert Dussey, on the matter of membership, as the country is the last Member of the OIC African Group that is yet to join the IOFS.
Another relevant exchange was with the Mr. Faris Asad, US Representative to the OIC, on the need to continue the cooperation within the framework of US-OIC Strategic Dialogue with goal of showcasing the efforts of U.S. and OIC entities, particularly the IOFS, as the OIC’s specialized institution in the field of food security.
It is worth noting that in some of the aforementioned bilateral engagements with OIC/IOFS Member States, Amb. Aryn counted with the valuable guidance and support of His Excellency Mr. Alibek Bakayev, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
