FAO to work hand-in-hand to support food commodities in the OIC countries

Cairo, 1 August 2021 - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) met today in Cairo. Abdul Hakim El Waer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa was present virtually and led the discussion, which led to an agreement on the way forward for the collaboration between the two organizations.

FAO and IOFS will work together to map out areas of partnership through the preparation of a joint study that defines areas of collaboration within the framework of Strategic food commodities. This includes Rice, Maize, Cassava, and Wheat in the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) Member Countries. 

The framework will also explore possibilities to Include Hand-in-Hand Initiatives in the joint study that Addresses evidence-based, country-led, and country-owned initiatives in IOFS member countries to accelerate the agricultural transformation and sustainable rural development. Discussions also included a set of South-South and Triangular cooperation activities with IOFS countries which will be in the upcoming joint technical meeting’s agenda.