The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) signed a memorandum of understanding providing for cooperation to promote technological applications and cultural and heritage aspects in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fishery in the two organizations’ respective Member States.

The MoU signing took place during a meeting held at ICESCO headquarters on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, attended by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General. The MoU was signed by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Dr. AbdulKarim Elwaer, FOA Assistant Director-General, Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, in the presence of several heads of sectors and departments, ICESCO experts, and a FAO delegation.

Prior to the MoU signing, Dr. AlMalik received Dr. Elwaer and his accompanying delegation, and reaffirmed ICESCO’s keenness to expand the scope of its cooperation with FOA. He stated that the programs and projects which will be implemented as part of this MoU, guided by innovative visions, will provide a strong impetus to the two organizations’ efforts to foster food security, develop agriculture, protect the environment, and ensure good management of natural resources and livestock.

For his part, Dr. Elwaer commended ICESCO’s efforts to support its Member States within its areas of competence, expressing his delight at signing this MoU. He noted that ICESCO and FOA share a number of areas of interest, which will enable the two organizations to contribute to building the capacities of youth and women, exchange information, share expertise and good practices in the fields of science, technology and environment protection.

The MoU provides for cooperation in exchanging knowledge, information and innovation in the fields of food security, natural resources management and transition to sustainable food systems. It also provides for promoting the use of modern technology in agriculture, providing agricultural entrepreneurship training for young people and women, and mobilizing resources to preserve and promote agricultural heritage around the world.