Doha: The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Municipality, has hosted the In-Person Regional Consultations for Reviewing the Draft Strategic Plan for Ensuring Food Security in OIC Member States 2026-2035. This event saw the participation of representatives from OIC member states, as well as various regional and international organizations.
According to Qatar News Agency, the consultations aimed to enhance cooperation and coordination among the member states to ensure sustainable food security. The agenda included discussions on strategic agricultural commodities, the development of a joint food reserve system, and the establishment of a strategic agricultural commodities program.
In the opening remarks, Eng. Fahd Mohammed Al Qahtani, Assistant Undersecretary for Agriculture and Food Security Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality, emphasized the shared commitment to food security among the member states. He highlighted Qatar’s leadership role in this initiative, as the Chair of the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Food Security and Agricultural Development held in 2023. Al Qahtani described the strategic plan as a vision aimed at building resilient food systems to meet the needs of up to one billion people in the OIC states.
Dr. Ahmad Kawesa Sengendo, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs of OIC, stressed the significance of joint efforts to address global food security challenges. He pointed out the impact of international conflicts on food supply chains, which has led to price surges and shortages in several OIC member states.
Ambassador Khusrav Noziri, Assistant Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security, outlined the plan’s five main pillars: strengthening support centers, developing agricultural and food industries, building capacities, mobilizing resources, and enhancing intra-trade. He called for collective efforts from all member states and partner institutions to implement innovative solutions for long-term food security.
The high-level consultations over three days aimed to shape a unified vision for the strategic plan and produce actionable recommendations. The discussions focused on establishing the OIC’s food security reserve system and approving the strategic plan for 2026-2035, a critical step towards sustainable development across the organization.
The event brought together representatives from 18 OIC member states and four affiliated institutions, totaling 46 international experts. Participants emphasized the importance of regional consultations in aligning the plan with national priorities and strengthening cooperation among member states to achieve sustainable food security.
This initiative is part of the OIC’s ongoing efforts to enhance joint action and coordinate initiatives to address food security challenges and ensure the sustainability of agricultural resources within member states.