Astana, Kazakhstan – 13 February 2025 – The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) virtually hosted the Asia Group Consultations for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation ( OIC ) , gathering senior officials from OIC Member States and representatives from relevant OIC agencies. The event served as a key platform for dialogue, aimed at refining the draft OIC Strategic Plan for Food Security (2026-2035) and aligning national priorities with the region's collective food security goals.
The consultation, which was part of a series of regional dialogues, focused on clarifying the objectives of the strategic plan and discussing strategies for its effective and timely implementation. Developed by IOFS in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), , the plan represents a coordinated effort to address food security challenges across OIC Member States through sustainable policies and collaborative frameworks.
Distinguished leaders, including Dr. Masoud Almarri, Director of the Food Security Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Qatar; Ambassador Khusrav Noziri, Assistant Director General of IOFS; Dr. Ahmed Sengendo, Assistant Secretary General of OIC for Economic Affairs; Mr. Atilla Karaman, Director of the Statistics and Information Department at SESRIC; and Mr. Ougfaly Badji, Lead Global Food Security Specialist at the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), delivered speeches emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation and data-driven, sustainable solutions for food security across the OIC region.
Ambassador Khusrav Noziri, Assistant Director General of IOFS, highlighted the strategic importance of the OIC’s food security initiatives, noting the urgent need to address critical issues such as climate change, supply chain disruptions, and market volatility. He stressed that the collective efforts of OIC Member States are essential to building agricultural resilience and strengthening food security for future generations.
A key session of the consultation included a comprehensive presentation of the draft OIC Strategic Plan for Food Security (2026-2035) by Prof. Zulfiqar Ali, Director of the Programs Department at IOFS. Following the presentation, Member States engaged in constructive discussions to further refine the strategy.
The Asia Group Consultations underscored the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility in addressing the evolving food security challenges in the OIC region. The engagement and commitment shown by OIC Member States reflect the region's determination to ensure a sustainable and food-secure future for all.
