Astana, Kazakhstan / Nouakchott, Mauritania — 8 October 2025 — The Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn held a virtual meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, H.E. Mr. Sid'Ahmed Ould Bouh, to discuss enhanced cooperation in wheat development and food security initiatives.
H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn began the meeting by congratulating the Minister on his new duties and wishing him success in his noble mission of advancing Mauritania's agricultural development and food security objectives.
H.E. Mr. Sid'Ahmed Ould Bouh expressed his satisfaction with the meeting and wished that it would lead to further close cooperation between the two organizations. The Minister highlighted the main challenges that Mauritania faces, with a particular focus on wheat production, noting the country's significant dependence on wheat imports.
The Minister expressed his strong wish that through cooperation with IOFS, Mauritania will be able to increase wheat productivity through the transfer of technology and know-how following the commencement of the "Wheat Farming Development in Mauritania" project. He emphasized that the project will focus on developing seed production systems and strengthening the entire wheat value chain to reduce the country's heavy dependence on imports.
Minister Ould Bouh emphasized the main components of the project and encouraged the tripartite approach, which he believes will help establish a clear business model for wheat cultivation in Mauritania. The initiative will leverage the country's agricultural potential and water resources to create sustainable wheat production capacity.
H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of IOFS, noted that this partnership is strategic and confirmed that IOFS is well aware of the challenges faced by Mauritania in achieving food security. He informed that a tripartite meeting between IOFS, Mauritania, and relevant partners will be conducted in due time to finalize implementation mechanisms and mobilize the necessary technical and financial support.
Both sides expressed their strong commitment to deepening collaboration in line with IOFS's mandate to enhance food security across Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States, with discussions centered on supporting national efforts to improve wheat production through targeted interventions in seed systems, irrigation, and research cooperation.
