Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, Abdelmonem Belati called on members of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) to to increase agricultural production and productivity so as to consolidate food security of the member countries of the organisation. Belati, who is making a working visit to Qatar from October 1 to 4, represented Tunisia at the High-level Forum on Food Security in Doha. He stressed the need to update the Organisation's plans, programmes and mechanisms so as to better address the challenges facing member countries, reads a statement of the Agriculture Ministry on Thursday. Taking the floor, the minister pointed out that addressing the issue of food security in the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), during this period, shows the prospective and timely vision of officials in charge of agricultural development in the member countries of the organization, taking into account the radical and accelerated changes experienced in the world at all levels, particularly the rise in prices of food products, energy , fuel, and climate change and its impact on the agricultural sector. As part of his visit, the minister took part in several regional events on strengthening food security, namely the 9th Ministerial Conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Food Security and Agricultural Development on October 2, on the theme: «Towards Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 in the OIC Member States,» The Agriculture Minister inaugurated the 6th plenary session of the Islamic Organization for Food Security in his capacity as Chairman of the 5th plenary session during which he handed over his functions to Qatari Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie. He expressed Tunisia's commitment to boost international cooperation, sharing knowledge and working jointly towards a better future to consolidate food security.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse