Astana, 21 October 2026 – His Excellency Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS), received today H.E. Mr. Abdul Latif H. Al-Taher, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of the State of Libya, and his accompanying delegation at the Organisation’s Headquarters in Astana, on the margins of KazAgroFarm 2026 and the Minister’s official visit to Kazakhstan.
Earlier in the day, the Director General and the Minister attended the official opening of KazAgroFarm 2026 at the International Exhibition Centre “EXPO”, at the invitation of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan. They subsequently joined H.E. Mr. Azat Sultanov, Vice-Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and other distinguished guests for a guided tour of the exhibition, which showcased modern technologies in crop production, livestock, irrigation, harvesting and storage, highlighting practical solutions and innovations that may offer valuable insights for advancing agricultural development and food security in Libya.
During an extended meeting at IOFS Headquarters, the Libyan delegation was briefed on the Organisation’s mandate, strategic programmes and flagship initiatives. Discussions explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation in several areas of mutual interest, including plant genetic resources, particularly the conservation of varieties adapted to dry and semi-arid conditions and tolerant to drought and salinity; animal genetic resources, local breed improvement and animal health; grain production, particularly wheat; fisheries and aquaculture; and agricultural policy, early warning systems and applied research.
The meeting also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IOFS and the Libyan Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, establishing a framework for enhanced institutional cooperation and joint initiatives in areas of mutual interest.
Both sides agreed to work towards a joint action plan for 2027–2029, to be developed by a joint working group, with a view to identifying concrete activities and establishing a framework for sustained cooperation. The discussions also highlighted the importance of Libya’s active engagement in IOFS programmes, particularly those related to grain production and genetic resources, in support of national efforts to strengthen agricultural capacity and food security.
The meeting builds on the Director General’s official visit to Libya in May 2026 and reflects the shared commitment of IOFS and Libya to advancing practical cooperation, strengthening institutional engagement and identifying opportunities for joint initiatives in support of sustainable agriculture and food security.
