Doha, May 14 (QNA) -The State of Qatar participated in the seventh ministerial session of the General Assembly of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), held on Thursday via videoconference.

The session marked the conclusion of Qatar's presidency of the sixth session, with the presidency of the General Assembly handed over to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The delegation was headed by HE Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, who expressed Qatar's appreciation to the Republic of Kazakhstan for hosting the current session.

He also commended the efforts of the IOFS General Secretariat and member states in advancing the Organization's objectives and strengthening its role in achieving food security and sustainable agricultural development.

HE Al Attiyah affirmed Qatar's commitment, since assuming the presidency of the sixth session of the General Assembly held in Doha in 2023, to supporting the Organization's mission of enhancing food security, developing agricultural cooperation, and strengthening integration among member states.

He noted that during its presidency, Qatar worked to support the Organization's strategic direction by hosting high-level meetings that contributed to the development of the Strategic Plan for Food Security in OIC Member States for the period 2026-2035, in addition to enhancing coordination with partner institutions.

He stressed that the meeting represents an opportunity to reaffirm the collective commitment to making food security a strategic priority, considering the growing global challenges facing food and agricultural systems and the need for responses grounded in cooperation, innovation, and shared responsibility.

He also underlined the importance of strengthening the Organization's institutional and financial capacities to ensure the sustainability of its programs, enhance its performance efficiency, and sustain voluntary support for its initiatives and projects.

HE Minister of Municipality announced the State of Qatar's support for the establishment of the International Gene Bank initiative of the IOFS, reflecting its continued backing of the Organization's programs and initiatives following the conclusion of its presidency of the General Assembly.

He also reiterated Qatar's full support for the Republic of Kazakhstan as it assumes the presidency of the next session of the General Assembly. (QNA)