The delegation of the Islamic Organization for Food Security, headed by the Director General, H.E. Prof. Yerlan Baidaulet, participates in the Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and Management (INWRDAM) 13th International Symposium organized in Amman, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, under the patronage and with the great speech of HRH Prince Hassan Bin Talal.

The Symposium is taking place from 13^th-15^th March 2023 and highlights the call for action to support “WEFE Nexus as a Catalyst for Policy Making and Regional Cooperation in the Levant, the Gulf, and Africa”. The event includes participation from high-level government officials and policymakers representing water, energy, agriculture, and environment ministries and authorities from 25 countries, as well as leadership and experts of international organizations.

The objectives of the Symposium include promoting awareness and updating member states regarding WEFE nexus opportunities for action, as well as providing a platform for identifying regional cooperation opportunities.

The IOFS Director General, H.E. Prof. Yerlan Baidaulet, presented a statement on IOFS activities to support the improvement of OIC food security, water management and climate change control through its programs aimed at the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices and technology transfer, as well as capacity building, including training for farmers and agricultural stakeholders, especially, with focus on African member countries.

Also, during the Symposium a Memorandum of Understanding between the IOFS and INWRDAM was signed with the objectives of cooperation to support strengthening water-related policies and programs that enhance water security; promotion of integrated water resources management approach in the member countries; as well as capacity building on international good practices in sustainable water management for food and agricultural development.

On the sidelines of the Symposium, an expert meeting was held to discuss the IOFS initiative on the development of an “Integrated Water Resources Management Plan for the Sahel Region” together with INWRDAM, “Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary”, and the Centre for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE). The Plan shall “integrate” strategies and policy guidance to cover a wide range of issues regarding the development of water management plans, policy guidance on sustainable use of water resources in food production, and assessment of climate change.

INWRDAM is Inter-governmental, autonomous organization operating under the umbrella of the Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The headquarters of INWRDAM is located in Amman and hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. As a think tank it focuses on policy and applied research and conducts dialogues – through which it seeks to advance ideas, concepts and policy direction to inform policy making and programme formulation processes towards shaping the contours of water resources development and management.