The State of Qatar chaired the 6th General Assembly of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) on Tuesday, held at Sheraton Grand Doha under the theme of: Together we are committed to action, with the participation of delegations from 56 states, along with a host of officials of regional and international organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations and partners.
At the outset of the session, Qatar was elected chairman of the 6th General Assembly of IOFS, with Palestine, People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Republic of The Gambia serving as vice-chairman and the Republic of Tunisia as rapporteur.
In his inaugural remarks, HE Minister of Municipality, chairman of the General Assembly of IOFS, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, announced a grant provided by the State of Qatar worth $2 million to support IOFS's activities and fields of operation.
His Excellency affirmed the significance of joint action, cooperation and unifying efforts to achieve the sustainable development in agriculture and food security, pointing out that Qatar has been committed to hosting the 6th General Assembly of IOFS in recognition of the orientation towards consolidating and cementing bonds of fraternity and solidarity among member states. He indicated that the meeting is a critical opportunity for consultation and sharing perspectives to achieve the utmost benefits for member states.
Under the wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the State of Qatar gives a top priority to upgrade the economic sectors in the country, including agriculture and food security which are considered the most vital sectors for all population, Al Subaie said, adding that from long time ago, Qatar has been working to carry out plans and programmes to achieve food security through increasing the domestic production, as well as upscaling self-sufficiency rates from commodities and food items to ensure achievement of Qatar National Vision 2030 that aims to create harmonization between economic, social and environmental development, as well as achieving development and prosperity for the country.
HE Minister of Municipality outlined that Qatar has set a national strategy for food security 2018-2023 and works are currently ongoing to launch the upcoming edition of this strategy for 2024-2030, concurrently with Qatar National Vision 2030. He added that the strategy evidently draws on four core pillars, namely international trade and logistical services, domestic self-sufficiency, strategic national stockpile, and local markets.
He elucidated that the strategy, in question, strives to secure the State of Qatar through building a flexible and sustainable food system capable of providing healthy and safe foods, as well as handling any potential evolutions, global crises or disasters such as those witnessed by the world during the recent years whose fallout on food security still prevalent.
HE Minister of Municipality, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, called for promoting the spirit of cooperation and solidarity among member states through forging a powerful alliance to face the profound challenges that lie ahead, emphasizing that IOFS, and through the provision of essential potential, will play a pivotal role to help optimize food security indicators in Arab states.
He stressed that through working in lockstep with one another the strength of diversity and resources can be utilized to curb the multiple challenges facing the region to demonstrate firm determination in combating food insecurity and finding appropriate solutions to face these grave challenges by drawing on sustainable innovation and practices, as well as just distribution systems that leave no one behind without achieving safe and ample food, he outlined.
His Excellency stated that the strengths of IOFS are not only limited to member states, but go beyond that to the bonds it forges, along with the collective measures it takes in which solidarity, determination and firm interest are anchored to provide all elements of success in moving forward to lay the foundation of programmes and projects that would lead to a world where food insecurity becomes something from the past.
He expressed his confidence in the abilities of the conferees to manage productive discussions that contribute to attaining outcomes that meet hopes of aspirations of all IOFS member states and peoples. (MORE)
Source: Qatar News Agency