Istanbul, Türkiye | 3 November 2026 — The Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS) participated in the 42nd Ministerial Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC), held in Istanbul from 31 October to 3 November 2026. Representing the Organization upon the instructions of H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of the IOFS, Mr. Abdula Manafi Mutualo, Chief Multilateral Relations Officer, presented the IOFS Report under Agenda Item 10, “Increasing Productivity of Agriculture Sector and Sustaining Food Security.” The Report outlined the Organization’s ongoing initiatives and efforts to advance food security and agricultural development across OIC Member States and was welcomed by participating Member States.
The Session was chaired by H.E. Mr. Cevdet Yılmaz, Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye. In his address, H.E. Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Secretary General of the OIC, called for increased support to the IOFS, emphasizing the importance of strengthening its capacity to fulfil its mandate and serve OIC Member States.
Mr. Mutualo also participated in the special event and panel discussion entitled “Reinforcing Family Institution through Value-Based Policies in Digital Era,” featuring H.E. Ms. Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Minister of Family and Social Services of the Republic of Türkiye, as keynote speaker. In his intervention, he highlighted the designation of 2027 as the IOFS Year for Women Agrileaders and Young Agripreneurs (IOFS-WAYA-2027) by the 7th IOFS General Assembly, as well as the Women in Agriculture Development Initiative (WADI), entrusted to the IOFS through the 52nd OIC Council of Foreign Ministers. He called upon Member States and relevant OIC institutions to support both initiatives in advancing women's participation and leadership in agriculture and agrifood systems.
The adopted COMCEC resolutions commended the IOFS's contribution to food security, agricultural development and agri-food systems transformation across OIC Member States, encouraged Member States to benefit from its activities and facilities, and recognized its efforts in implementing the COMCEC Strategy and Ministerial Policy Recommendations.
Looking ahead, the resolutions identified “Utilization of Islamic Finance Instruments for Sustaining Food Security” as the theme of the Exchange of Views Session at the 43rd COMCEC Session, scheduled for 6–9 November 2027 in Türkiye. Closely aligned with the IOFS mandate and priorities, the theme offers an important opportunity for the Organization to play a more prominent role in the COMCEC process by contributing its technical expertise and facilitating dialogue on mobilizing Islamic finance for food security and sustainable agricultural development.
