Astana, Kazakhstan – 28 May 2026 – H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS), participated in the 5th Eurasian Economic Forum held in Astana under Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The Forum brought together senior policymakers, representatives of international organisations and development institutions, as well as business leaders, to discuss regional economic integration, trade, industrial cooperation, digital transformation, and sustainable development across Eurasia.
A highlight of the Forum was the Plenary Session, attended by the Heads of State of the EAEU, namely Their Excellencies the Presidents of Kazakhstan - Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Russia - Mr. Vladimir Putin, Kyrgyzstan - Mr. Sadyr Japarov, Belarus - Mr. Alexander Lukashenko, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia, as well as high-level officials from EAEU partner states from Cuba, Mongolia, Vietnam and others. The Leaders underscored the importance of strengthening industrial cooperation, fostering a transparent digital environment, and advancing transit and transport connectivity to promote sustainable economic growth and regional integration across Eurasia - priorities that closely align with IOFS's efforts to advance digital agriculture and food security cooperation across OIC Member States.
Within the framework of the Forum’s high-level panel entitled “Digital Modernisation of the EAEU Common Agricultural Market: From Traceability to Trade Instruments,” the Director General joined other distinguished speakers, including leadership of the agriculture sector of the EAEU Member States, representatives of international organisations, business associations, and private sector leaders, where he had the opportunity to present several IOFS-led initiatives aimed at advancing digital transformation in agri-food trade across OIC Member States. These include the Integrated Digital Food Trade Platform developed by the Organization’s subsidiary, the International Islamic Food Processing Association (IFPA) in cooperation with the UAE Food Cluster, the OIC Food Security Reserve System, AI-driven agricultural governance solutions, and initiatives supporting the digitalisation of investment and B2B agri-food trade in collaboration with one of the OIC sister Institutions, the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD).
Another salient message from Ambassador Aryn was the importance of stronger cooperation among countries and international organisations to build resilient, transparent, and technology-driven food systems based on interoperability and trust-based digital integration. He also reaffirmed IOFS’s role in strengthening cooperation between the EAEU and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
On the sidelines of the Forum, Ambassador Aryn and Mrs. Gohar Barseghyan, Member of the Board – Minister in charge of Industry and Agro-Industrial Complex of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), signed a Protocol extending the validity of the Memorandum of Understanding between the EEC and IOFS, originally concluded on 22 July 2021. The signing reaffirmed both organisations’ commitment to strengthening cooperation in food security and sustainable agriculture for the benefit of their Member States.
The Forum further reinforced IOFS’s growing international profile as a leading OIC specialised Institution in food security, agricultural innovation, and sustainable development, while providing an important platform to expand strategic partnerships across the Eurasian and OIC regions.
