TRIPOLI, May 18, 2026 – H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS), concluded the second and final day of his official visit to the State of Libya. The day featured a series of ministerial-level meetings that reaffirmed the strong partnership between IOFS and Libya and explored concrete avenues for cooperation across key pillars of sustainable food security.
The Director General met with H.E. Mr. Suhail Abu Shiha, Minister of Economy and Trade of the State of Libya. The meeting provided an opportunity to present an overview of the Organisation’s mandate, strategic programmes, and flagship initiatives, and to discuss prospects for cooperation in strengthening Libya's food security architecture, including in the areas of strategic reserves, market resilience, and investment in the agri-food sector. Both sides expressed their shared commitment to advancing practical, results-oriented cooperation in the period ahead.
Ambassador Aryn later held talks with H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Al-Arabi Munir, Minister of Environment. The two sides exchanged views on shared priorities related to climate change adaptation, combating desertification, addressing water scarcity, and promoting environmental sustainability. The discussions also highlighted the relevance of the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus approach as an integrated framework to address interconnected regional challenges and advance sustainable development.
The Director General concluded the day with an extended meeting with H.E. Husni Awaidan, Minister of Water Resources, attended by representatives of both delegations. Discussions centered on the role of sustainable water management in strengthening food security, agricultural development, and climate resilience. The two sides reviewed concrete avenues for cooperation, including modern irrigation systems, digital water governance, and specialized capacity-building programmes. Ambassador Aryn reaffirmed IOFS’s readiness to support Libya's national priorities in these strategic sectors, drawing on the Organisation’s experience across Member States.
The visit marked an important step in the growing partnership between IOFS and Libya. Over the course of two days, the Director General engaged with senior officials representing the country’s economic, agricultural, environmental, water, and diplomatic sectors, reflecting the cross-sectoral nature of food security and laying the foundation for a structured follow-up process aimed at translating shared priorities into concrete outcomes.
