Astana, Kazakhstan - 12 November - The Director General of the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS), H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn, welcomed H.E. Ms. Sarango Radnaragcha, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan, to the IOFS Headquarters to discuss avenues for enhancing cooperation between IOFS and the UN system in advancing shared food security and sustainable development goals.
During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to continue building on the productive dialogue initiated between IOFS and the UN in Kazakhstan. The Director General emphasized IOFS’s growing engagement within the UN system and reiterated the Organisation’s readiness to work collaboratively on initiatives that contribute to climate resilient agriculture, food systems transformation, and humanitarian assistance.
Ambassador Aryn briefed the UN Resident Coordinator on IOFS’s growing portfolio of collaborative projects, highlighting the Organization’s partnerships with relevant UN entities, including FAO, WFP, IOM, UNDP and UN Women. He noted that IOFS’s cooperation with UN agencies has already yielded impactful outcomes, from supporting humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan alongside UNODC and UNAMA, to conducting a joint cassava value-chain study across five African countries with UNDP, with plans to scale up the initiative in 2026.
The two sides agreed on the importance of strengthening their engagement in Kazakhstan-based initiatives, particularly in areas related to water management, sustainable agriculture, and capacity development. They discussed ways in which IOFS and relevant UN agencies could work more closely to bridge existing gaps, align ongoing programmes, and support the implementation of national strategies on food security and rural development.
Both sides recognized the strong foundation established through the UN–OIC partnership, notably the 16th UN–OIC General Meeting hosted by IOFS in Astana in July 2024, which marked a milestone in strengthening institutional coordination between the two systems.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen cooperation, strengthen multilateral coordination, and translate the shared vision of sustainable food security into tangible, high-impact outcomes for Kazakhstan, the OIC region, and beyond.
