HE Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries of the Republic of Tunisia, Abdelmonem Belati, in his capacity as President of the Fifth General Assembly of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), expressed his gratitude to the State of Qatar for hosting this meeting and other relevant meetings, which reflects its sincere will and commitment to food security issues in the IOFS countries and beyond.

Belati said that Tunisia, during its presidency of the last session, held many in-person and virtual meetings, and recommended focusing on many topics of interest to member states, such as the impact of climate change on agriculture and food security, good practices for adapting to them, and sustainable management of natural resources and agricultural development especially amid water scarcity.

He added that a number of conferences and seminars were held on climate adaptation and food security in the presence of several international organizations and many countries, with a focus on the need to develop national plans, work to build capacities, transfer information and expertise among member states, and follow up efforts in sustainable management of ecosystems taking into account geographical specificities. The conferences also discussed strengthening agricultural scientific research in developing technology and approaches that help production adapt to climate change and participated in influencing commitments to strengthen international cooperation and exchange of knowledge between countries in their common pursuit of the hoped-for future.

Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs, of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr Ahmad Kawesa Sengendo affirmed the OIC’s commitment to working to develop and enhance food security in member states, recalling that the past few years have witnessed many natural disasters like floods, droughts, hurricanes, etc., which led to a decline in food security in many countries.

He added that millions of citizens of member states suffer from food and water shortages as well as international crises with over 20 member states in need of food security, calling on OIC member states to work and cooperate to find solutions to these challenges, cooperate and work to implement the relevant plans and programs.

Sengendo stated that OIC has many programs that focus on agricultural production and development in member states, supporting farmers and combating the production problems they face.

He continued that 76 percent of farmers in OIC countries use traditional methods of agriculture, and that there is a great reluctance among young people to work in agriculture, calling for orchestrated cooperation to develop capabilities, raise agricultural production, complete scientific and technological support programs and plans, enable farmers to enter the markets of member states, provide financial support to the poorest countries and find solutions to the problems that farmers suffer from, as well as attract young people to work in the field of agriculture while changing the negative perception of agriculture.

He stressed that OIC will not be able to battle food security without the cooperation of governments and officials in the member states, extolling the State of Qatar’s grant to support OIC activities and programs, calling on other member states to follow suit so that the OIC can carry out its duties towards the citizens of their countries.

This meeting is the second within the work of the General Assembly, after senior officials met virtually on Sep. 27.

Source: Qatar News Agency