Member States of IOFS discussed the Draft Protocol of the OIC Food Security Reserves

09 November 2020

The IOFS and its member states held discussions about the Draft Protocol of the OIC Food Security Reserves on November 9, 2020. The representatives of the agricultural ministries of Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Kazakhstan have taken part in the online event.

OIC ASG for Science and Technology, H.E. Ambassador Askar Musinov emphasized the key role the IOFS plays in the establishment of OIC Food Security Reserves and the importance of the programme for food security in the OIC region. Director-General of IOFS H.E. Yerlan Baidaulet expressed hope that ‘the OIC Food Security Reserves will lead to the creation of a credible mechanism for cooperation among the OIC member states to ensure food security through the efforts of each country.’

The LA International Cooperation, a consultant company, hired by IOFS to aid the implementation of the programme, shared its vision on OIC Regional Food Security Reserves. The LA International Cooperation is experienced in the development-focused projects and collaborated with a number of international institutions and agencies worldwide.

Earlier, the IOFS Secretariat circulated the Draft Protocol of the OIC Food Security Reserves to the member states. A number of the OIC Member States, such as Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Morocco, State of Qatar, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Turkey, and the Republic of Kazakhstan submitted their comments and noted the necessity to conduct a feasibility study with deep and detailed analysis of the regions. The feasibility study will determine the regional country-groupings, volume and types of food commodities, and the physical infrastructure.

At the meeting, Dr. Ismail Abdelhamid voiced the proposals of each country and provided all participants with a chance to discuss their suggestions regarding the Draft Protocol. Most country suggestions were accepted.

The role of Food Security Reserves is to build sub-regional food stocks, tailored to the needs of each regional group within the OIC member states. The Food Security Reserves would consist of wheat and/or other principal food products or a combination thereof, as selected by the member states. The reserves are intended to cover food shortages in emergencies, natural disasters and other dire situations.
The Reserves would be administered by the Steering Committee of the OIC Food Security Reserve. The member states undertake to provide adequate storage facilities for the earmarked foodgrains; to inspect the food grains periodically and to apply appropriate quality control measures and to replace any food-grains that do not satisfy the said standards. In addition, the member states must comply with the guidelines on storage and quality control as adopted by the Steering Committee.