The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) had the distinct honor of hosting a high-level delegation from the Republic of Sierra Leone, led by His Excellency Mr. Timothy Musa Kabba, Minister of Foreign Affairs, for a strategic engagement focused on deepening cooperation in food security, agricultural resilience, and sustainable development.
Welcoming the delegation, the IOFS Director General, H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn, commended Sierra Leone’s steadfast commitment to transforming its agriculture sector, noting the country’s considerable potential for food production and rural empowerment. With agriculture at the heart of the country’s economy, the visit served to align national priorities with IOFS’s regional initiatives and strategic vision.
The meeting highlighted Sierra Leone’s involvement in key IOFS programs, notably the development of the cassava value chain in collaboration with United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and UN Women, an initiative that aims to enhance productivity, empower women farmers, and expand market access. Ambassador Aryn also extended an invitation for Sierra Leone to join the IOFS International Gene Bank Initiative, a flagship project dedicated to preserving agricultural biodiversity and strengthening food systems across the OIC region.
Separately, Ambassador Aryn briefed on the status of the preparation of the upcoming 7th IOFS General Assembly to be hosted by the Republic of Kazakhstan in Astana on 1-2 July 2025 to which he requested Sierra Lione to be represented at the highest level by the concerned Minister, and, accordingly expressed hope that Sierra Leone would soon ratify the IOFS Statute and reactivate its engagement in the Organization’s governance and technical platforms.
The outcomes of the meeting pave the way for actionable follow-up, including the convening of a national stakeholder workshop in Sierra Leone and the formulation of a dedicated cooperation framework, further reinforcing the shared commitment to food systems transformation across the OIC landscape within the framework of the Africa Food Security Initiative (AFSI)’s implementation.
It should be noted that the visit of such high-level figures from IOFS Member States stands as a powerful testament to the growing interest in and relevance of IOFS’s mission in the OIC geography. It also reflects the increasing recognition of South-South cooperation and Islamic solidarity as driving forces in addressing global food security challenges.
