Abu Dhabi, 21 October 2025 - H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS), participated in Global Food Week 2025 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, held under the distinguished patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of ADAFSA.
Themed "Driving Sustainable Solutions for Global Food," the prestigious event brought together nearly 30,000 visitors and hundreds of international exhibitors, reinforcing its position as a premier global platform for advancing food security and sustainable agriculture. At the invitation of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), H.E. Ambassador Aryn attended the Opening Ceremony and the Global Food Talks Forum, inaugurated by H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE.
On the sidelines of the event, H.E. Ambassador Aryn held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Eng. Mansour bin Hilal Al Mushaiti, Vice Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to discuss opportunities to enhance the partnership between IOFS and the KSA.
Ambassador Aryn also convened a joint consultation with Mr. Saleh Lootah, CEO of the International IFPA and Chairman of the UAE Food & Beverage Manufacturers Group; Mr. Amath Pathe Sene, Managing Director of the Africa’s Food Systems Forum (AGRF) and Acting Regional Director for West Africa; and Mr. Daniel Annerose, CEO and Founder of Manobi Africa, during which the parties agreed on a shared vision for the Global Food Security Summit 2026, defining its concept and respective roles.
Subsequently, Ambassador Aryn, together with Dr. Tareq Ahmed Mohamed Alameri, Acting Director General of ADAFSA, Mr. Amath Pathe Sene, and Mr. Saleh Lootah, discussed the joint organization of Global Food Week 2026 and its main segment, the Global Food Security Summit, which will bring together high-level officials, ministers, and investors from OIC and African countries. The Forum will focus on Africa–Central Asia business opportunities and challenges, underscoring the UAE’s role as a bridge for interregional cooperation and sustainable agri-food investment.
As part of IOFS–IFPA efforts to boost food trade among OIC Member States, leading Kazakhstani food producers, supported by QazTrade, participated in Global Food Week 2025. Leading Kazakhstan companies like Riks, Mareven, 7 Kolibri, Qazaq Apple, and Goji showcased their products and presented concrete proposals to meet UAE market demands. Highlighting Kazakhstan’s rising role in the global agri-food sector, Ambassador Aryn visited the Kazakhstani pavilion alongside H.E. Rauan Zhumabek, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United Arab Emirates. Their joint presence underscored IOFS’s ongoing commitment to promoting trade and investment across the OIC.
