Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 31/10/2016
The newly established Astana-based OIC specialized institution for food security, known as Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), has concluded memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with three major regional agro-allied research and funding institutions. The memoranda were signed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 24 October 2016 within the framework of the visit of President of Kazakhstan to Saudi Arabia by the new Director General of IOFS, Mr. Yerzhan Jalmukhanov, and the CEOs of the three institutions, namely: the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD).
The objectives of these MoUs vary from promoting research and development in the domain of agriculture, rural development and food security to mobilizing multilateral resources for the implementation of IOFS quick-win projects. IOFS priority programmes and programmes include, among others: creation of a comprehensive database and conducting research on all aspects of the food security; establishment of Agriculture SME Fund; and development of Regional Food Security Programmes (RFSP).
It should be mentioned that the inaugural General Assembly of IOFS was held in Astana, Kazakhstan on 26-28 April 2016 concurrently with the Seventh OIC Ministerial Conference on Food Security and Agricultural Development. The General Assembly elected the 8-member Executive Board of the IOFS as well as appointed Director General of IOFS Secretariat. In addition, the General Assembly approved a 5-year Plan of Action of the Organization that would seek to implement quick-win programmes, aimed at fast-tracking exchanges and cooperation among IOFS Member States.
The 43rd CFM, which recently concluded its proceedings in Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan on 18-19 October 2016, endorsed the outcome the inaugural General Assembly of IOFS, the constitution of its Executive Board and its 5-year Plan of Action.
