Astana, January 29, 2025 – The Director General of the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS), H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn, received H.E. Akambi Andre Okounlola-Biaou, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Benin to Russian Federation (concurrently accredited to the Republic of Kazakhstan) at the IOFS headquarters.
Ambassador Aryn highlighted the strong cooperation between IOFS and Benin, noting the joint IOFS-UNDP project on cassava value chain development, which has benefited several African countries, including Benin. In addition, H.E. Ambassador Okounlola-Biaou was informed about IOFS training programs in the field of processing agricultural waste into organo-mineral fertilizers at the Songhai Center in Porto-Novo (Benin) and upcoming IOFS initiatives for Benin on rice production, livestock farming and irrigation development.
H.E. Ambassador Okounlola-Biaou highly appreciated the IOFS's efforts to support agricultural development and food security in Benin. He stressed that key areas such as cassava and rice production are of paramount importance to the people of Benin. The importance of addressing land degradation caused by extensive cotton cultivation was also highlighted, and there was a strong interest and need for Benin to introduce high-yielding, climate-resilient crop varieties.
The IOFS Director General briefed the H.E. Ambassador on IOFS projects on improved hybrid wheat in Mauritania, Egypt, Pakistan and Central Asian countries, and mentioned cooperation with international partners such as TIKA, TAGEM, GGGI, as well as on collaboration with experts from countries outside of the OIC geography on potential technology transfer and agricultural mechanization.
The meeting also covered the upcoming visit of H.E. Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Benin, to Astana in March 2025. Ambassador Aryn also informed his counterpart about the 7th General Assembly of IOFS, scheduled for June 2025 in Astana, and expressed hope for the participation of H.E. Gaston Cossi Dossouhoui, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of Benin in this event.
Interlocutors reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation in agriculture and food security.
