SEIBERSDORF, AUSTRIA – 24 June 2026 – H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), accompanied by Dr. Ismail Abdelhamid, Director of the Project Department and Mr. Sofian Ben Mouaddeb, Chief Bilateral Relations Officer, conducted a working visit to the FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratories in Seibersdorf, Austria, as part of the organization’s continued engagement with international partners in advancing innovation and sustainable agricultural development.
The visit followed earlier meetings held at the Vienna International Centre with the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture and reflected the shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in food security, agricultural resilience, and scientific innovation.
During the visit, the IOFS delegation toured several specialized laboratories and received comprehensive presentation on advanced technologies and research initiatives supporting sustainable agriculture, food safety, animal health, soil and water management, plant breeding, genetics, and insect pest control.
The delegation visited the Insect Pest Control Laboratory, the Animal Production and Health Laboratory, the Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Laboratory, the Food Safety and Control Laboratory, and the Plant Breeding and Genetics Laboratory, where experts presented innovative applications and scientific activities contributing to resilient food systems and sustainable agricultural development.
The visit provided an important opportunity to exchange expertise and explore avenues for enhanced collaboration between IOFS and the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre, particularly in the areas of technical cooperation, research, innovation, and capacity building aimed at addressing food security challenges across Member States.
Director General reaffirmed IOFS’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with international organizations and scientific institutions in support of sustainable agricultural development, innovation, and resilient food systems for the benefit of present and future generations.
IOFS delegation concluded the working visit to Vienna, Austria, following a series of high-level engagements, strategic bilateral meetings, and institutional visits conducted on the sidelines of the OPEC Fund Development Forum 2026 and the celebration of the OPEC Fund’s 50th Golden Jubilee.
The visit further strengthened IOFS’s cooperation with international partners and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to advancing sustainable development, food security, agricultural innovation, and capacity-building initiatives for the benefit of its Member States.
