VIENNA - Hofburg, 23 June 2026 – H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), led the IOFS delegation to the OPEC Fund Development Forum 2026 and the celebration marking the institution’s 50th Golden Jubilee, held under the theme “A Transition that Empowers Our Tomorrow.”
The high-level forum brought together Heads of State, Heads of Government, ministers, leaders of international organizations, financial institutions, and development partners to discuss sustainable development, economic resilience, and enhanced international cooperation in addressing global challenges.
As part of the forum’s agenda, Ambassador Berik Aryn and the IOFS delegation attended a series of thematic panel sessions focused on inclusive growth, sustainable infrastructure, and resilience-building across different regions.
The panel discussions focused on advancing inclusive and sustainable development through stronger infrastructure, regional integration, and strategic investment. Discussions highlighted the importance of upgrading local value chains, empowering cities through social and economic opportunities, and strengthening integrated energy and water systems to enhance resilience, improve service delivery, and support long-term economic growth across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia.
On the sidelines of the event, the Director General held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with senior officials and development leaders to discuss opportunities for reinforcing strategic partnerships and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Ambassador Berik Aryn discussed with Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, President of the Islamic Development Bank Group, the operationalization and implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed last week on the sidelines of the IsDB Annual Meetings in Baku. Discussions focused on identifying practical avenues for collaboration and advancing joint initiatives in food security and sustainable development across Member States.
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The Director General also held an exchange with Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank Group, on prospects for establishing a partnership between the two institutions, particularly in supporting Member States in Africa through development cooperation and capacity-building initiatives.
Furthermore, Ambassador Berik Aryn held a discussion with Dr. Yaqoub Al-Sayed Yousef Al-Sayed Hashem Al-Rifai, Minister of Finance of the State of Kuwait, on prospects for bilateral cooperation and opportunities to strengthen collaboration in support of sustainable economic and development goals.
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In a separate meeting with H.E. Adelien Wijnerman, Minister of Finance and Planning of Suriname, discussions focused on potential IOFS support to Suriname in the areas of food security, agricultural development, and institutional capacity building.
The IOFS Director General reaffirmed the importance of multilateral cooperation and strategic partnerships in addressing global challenges and advancing sustainable development, emphasizing IOFS’s commitment to working closely with international and regional partners to deliver impactful and future-oriented initiatives.
