The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) and Hamad Bin Khalifa University are delighted to announce the fruitful completion of their collaborative webinar titled "Mobilizing Finance for Sustainable Agriculture and Agriculture Productivity." Hosted on 26 February 2024, the virtual event brought together an esteemed panel of experts and stakeholders to delve into critical strategies for financing sustainable agriculture in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Moderated by Dr. Dalal Aassouli, Assistant Professor of Islamic and Sustainable Finance at HBKU, the webinar featured insightful discussions from leading figures in the field:
Dr. Sabine Laurent, Market Intelligence Transition Lead, Climate Bonds Initiative
Mr. Corné De Louw, Program Director Advisory Services, Rabo Partnerships
Dr. Harun Celik, PhD, Sr. Expert Trade Solution Complex, International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) - Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group
Mr. Azamat Khamiyev, Program Manager on National Food Sector Development, IOFS
Ms. Sara Taaffe, Nature Finance Lead, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)
Mr. Wahyu Wijayanto Sunaryo, Operations Team Leader with Agriculture Direction, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group
Mr. Conor Clifford Murphy, MD, Strategy and Finance Advisor, Hermon Consulting
The webinar provided a platform for in-depth discussions on pressing issues such as agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, climate change susceptibility, and the need for sustainable transformation in global agri-food systems. Panelists shared their insights on overcoming barriers to financing, leveraging partnerships, and integrating innovative financial mechanisms to drive sustainable agriculture forward.
Dr. Dalal Aassouli remarked, "The HBKU-IOFS webinar served as a catalyst for meaningful conversations surrounding the financing of sustainable agriculture. Our esteemed panelists provided valuable perspectives and actionable strategies that underscore the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing the challenges facing the agricultural sector."
Key highlights from the session included discussions on the role of policymakers in mobilizing finance, the potential of Islamic finance principles in supporting agricultural sustainability, and the strategic importance of digitalization in transforming agricultural finance models.
Moving forward, IOFS and HBKU reaffirm their commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration towards achieving global food security and sustainability goals. The success of the webinar underscores the urgency and importance of collective action in building a resilient and sustainable food system for future generations.
