Ankara, Turkiye – The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) participated in the 40th Meeting of the Follow-Up Committee of the COMCEC (Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation), held in Ankara on 22-23 May 2024. The meeting convened to discuss key topics including the implementation of the OIC-2025 Programme of Action, intra-OIC trade, financial cooperation, and digital transformation.
At the instruction of the Director General of IOFS, H.E. Amb. Berik Aryn, the Director of the Programs and Projects Department of IOFS, Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali attended the event and delivered a speech on behalf of the organization.
Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali highlighted the strong relationship between IOFS and COMCEC, emphasizing their shared commitment to ensuring food security, fostering sustainable agriculture, and promoting rural development within the OIC geography. He presented several initiatives undertaken by IOFS in alignment with COMCEC's agenda, including capacity-building activities focused on enhancing food security, climate resilience, and agro-industrial development in various member states.
Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali also outlined IOFS's commitment to addressing the complexities and disparities in food security across diverse member states. He invited participating member states and COMCEC to be key partners in implementing IOFS's vision for 2031, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving sustainable growth.
Additionally, IOFS expressed its willingness to collaborate with member states and relevant institutions in implementing initiatives such as the Africa Food Security Initiative and the Afghanistan Food Security Program (AFSP), mandated by previous OIC Council decisions.
In the humanitarian sphere, IOFS announced its active consideration of a Flour for Humanity intervention for Gaza, seeking support from member countries for this initiative.
In conclusion, Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali expressed optimism that the meeting would yield fruitful outcomes, contributing to the realization of IOFS's strategic goals and benefiting people across member states. He encouraged member states to consider including IOFS as their implementation partner for projects in the field of food security and agriculture development, thereby amplifying the collective impact and efficacy of shared endeavors.
