Antalya, Türkiye – On the second day of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2025, H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), participated in the panel “How to Feed the Future – Addressing Global Food Insecurity,” highlighting the structural barriers facing OIC Member States.
The session featured an active and productive exchange among the distinguished speakers, including Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on Water H.E. Ms. Retno Marsudi. A meaningful dialogue was built around solutions, innovations, and the need for inclusive partnerships.
Ambassador Aryn underscored that over 35% of the population in OIC countries faces food insecurity, driven by three main challenges: high dependence on food imports, weak agricultural infrastructure, and policy gaps. In some states, up to 85% of food is imported, making them vulnerable to global shocks. He also emphasized the crisis of post-harvest losses—reaching 40% in some regions—caused by poor storage, transportation, and lack of mechanization. Climate change, particularly water scarcity, and limited support for smallholder farmers further exacerbate these issues.
Despite the challenges, Ambassador Aryn outlined IOFS’s ongoing efforts under its Strategic Plan to Ensure Food Security in OIC Member States (SPEFS-OIC). This includes promoting climate-smart agriculture, investing in rural infrastructure, and building regional food reserves—initiatives already underway in Mauritania and Niger. “Our goal is to turn vulnerability into resilience through cooperation, innovation, and strong governance,” he stated.
In addition to the panel, Ambassador Aryn held several important bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Forum. In his meeting with H.E. Dr. Shaya Mohsin Zindani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Yemen, discussions focused on strengthening IOFS support for Yemen’s food security and recovery priorities, particularly in light of the country's humanitarian needs. With the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mozambique, Ms. Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas, Ambassador Aryn explored avenues for cooperation on agricultural development. He also met with the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), H.E. Mr. Jagan Chapagain, to discuss joint initiatives in emergency food assistance, early warning systems, and building community-level resilience in disaster-prone areas.
Mr. Aryn’s participation at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum reaffirmed IOFS’s commitment to leading collaborative efforts toward sustainable and resilient food systems across the Islamic world.
