The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), in collaboration with the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and SESRIC, jointly organized an online workshop on “Water Resources for Sustainable Food Security” on 11 March 2026, bringing together experts and representatives from OIC and ECO Member States to exchange experiences on water management and sustainable agriculture.
During the workshop, the discussion highlighted that OIC countries hold about 13.3% of the world’s renewable water resources, yet agriculture accounts for nearly 85.6% of total water withdrawals, underlining the strong link between water management and food security across the region. The presentation also emphasized that many OIC countries are already exposed to medium-high to extremely high water risk, making efficient water governance and improved irrigation practices essential.
Member State shared their national experience in water management, noting that Türkiye’s annual water availability per person has declined from 4,065 m³ in 1960 to around 1,305 m³ projected for 2025, indicating growing water stress. The presentations also highlighted major investments in water infrastructure, including large irrigation networks, dams, and more than 120,000 km of pipes installed over the past 22 years to improve water efficiency and agricultural productivity.
The workshop also emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation among OIC and ECO Member States through knowledge sharing, capacity building, and joint initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable water management and resilient agri-food systems.
