Baku, Azerbaijan — 4–5 March 2026 — During a working visit of H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS), to Baku, the Republic of Azerbaijan expressed its readiness to sign the IOFS Statute at the first available opportunity, paving the way for the country’s accession to the Organisation.
The statement was made during a meeting between Ambassador Aryn and H.E. Mr. Majnun Mammadov, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between IOFS and Azerbaijan in the areas of sustainable agriculture, agricultural research, food safety systems, and regional food security initiatives within the framework of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Ambassador Berik Aryn thanked the Government of Azerbaijan for its decision to join the Islamic Organisation for Food Security and expressed appreciation for Azerbaijan’s active engagement in IOFS initiatives. He also conveyed gratitude for Azerbaijan’s contribution to the IOFS humanitarian initiative in support of the Gaza Strip, including its financial support to the Organization’s fundraising effort for food assistance, the first humanitarian convoy of which was delivered in January 2025.
The meeting also explored opportunities to expand practical cooperation between IOFS and Azerbaijan. In this context, Minister Majnun Mammadov proposed further collaboration in areas such as intra-OIC agri-food trade, strengthening agricultural supply chains, exchange of know-how, and expanding cooperation in agricultural research and education. Ambassador Aryn welcomed these proposals and reaffirmed IOFS’s readiness to expand cooperation with Azerbaijan following its accession to the Organization.
As part of the visit, the IOFS Director General also held consultations with H.E. Mr. Ramil Hasan, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA). The meeting explored opportunities to enhance cooperation between IOFS and TURKPA in promoting food security, sustainable agriculture, and parliamentary dialogue on agricultural policy among Turkic-speaking countries.
The visit reaffirmed the importance of strengthening regional cooperation and partnerships to advance sustainable and resilient food systems across the OIC region.
