Marrakech, Morocco | 19-20 November 2024 – The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), under the guidance of His Excellency Ambassador Berik Aryn, actively participated in the 4th Consultative Forum of the Regional Cooperation Organizations (RCOs) in the OIC Region, held in Marrakech, Kingdom of Morocco, on 19-20 November 2024. Representing the IOFS, Mr. Abdula Manafi Mutualo, Chief Multilateral Affairs Officer, delivered a presentation on “IOFS Contribution to Trade and Food Security in the OIC Region” and engaged in productive bilateral meetings with key participating institutions.
During his presentation, Mr. Manafi emphasized the critical role of IOFS in addressing food security challenges across the OIC region. He highlighted the Organization’s ongoing initiatives to foster sustainable agricultural practices, enhance intra-OIC trade in agricultural commodities, and build resilient food systems through capacity development and innovative policies.
Additionally, Mr. Manafi encouraged the participating UN and OIC Institutions to actively participate and contribute for the successful convening of the Global Food Security Summit (GFSS) on 26-27 November 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The Forum provided an invaluable platform for regional cooperation organizations to exchange insights, best practices, and collaborative strategies to address pressing challenges, including food insecurity, trade barriers, and climate change. IOFS’s active participation underlined its commitment to facilitating multilateral cooperation and leveraging partnerships to achieve food security in the OIC Member States.
In addition to his presentation, Mr. Mutualo held bilateral meetings with representatives from relevant participating Institutions to discuss opportunities for collaboration and explore mechanisms to enhance the alignment of IOFS programs with broader regional objectives, including with UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Permanent Interstates Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), World Trade Organization (WTO), D-8, African Solidarity Fund, and Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation.
The IOFS’s presence at the 4th Consultative Forum reinforces its dedication to fostering unity and solidarity within the OIC region to achieve food security and sustainable development.
