BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 13. Kazakhstan and the
Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) have discussed
further cooperation in food security.


This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, following a meeting between Deputy
Foreign Minister Arman Isagaliyev and IOFS Director General Berik
Aryn.


According to the report, the parties discussed current issues of
cooperation between Kazakhstan and the organization aimed at
implementing joint food security initiatives in IOFS member
countries. Isagaliyev noted Kazakhstan's interest in further
developing the organization's potential. Kazakhstan initiated the
creation of the IOFS and has chaired it since May 2026.


"The IOFS Director General, in turn, briefed on the progress of
a number of targeted projects, including the establishment of a
Gene Bank in Kazakhstan aimed at preserving agricultural
biodiversity in the Organization's member states," the report
said.







Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue bilateral
and multilateral cooperation to strengthen food security within the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).


IOFS was established in 2013 at the initiative of Kazakhstan as
a specialized structure of the OIC. The idea for its establishment
was proposed by the First President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan
Nazarbayev, in 2011 at the 38th session of the OIC Council of
Foreign Ministers in Astana. The organization's headquarters are
located in Astana. IOFS comprises over 40 member states. The
organization works to strengthen food security, develop sustainable
agriculture, respond to food crises, build capacity, and preserve
agricultural biodiversity.


Since its founding, Kazakhstan has played a leading role in the
IOFS and has chaired the organization since May 2026 (following the
7th session of the General Assembly). One of the priority projects
is the creation of an International Gene Bank in Kazakhstan, aimed
at preserving plant and animal genetic resources, supporting
breeding, and increasing the resilience of participating countries'
agricultural systems to climate change.