Doha, September 01 (QNA) - The State of Qatar took part in the 34th Meeting of Their Excellencies the GCC Undersecretaries Responsible for Agriculture and Food Security, convened virtually on Tuesday, bringing together representatives of the member states.

The delegation was headed by HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Municipality Ali bin Mohammed Al Ali.

Addressing the meeting, Al Ali underscored the State of Qatar's commitment to actively engage in the path of joint Gulf action and strengthen cooperation and coordination in the areas of agriculture and food security to help sustain food supplies and elevate the GCC states' readiness to address challenges, as well as regional and global transformations.

HE Ali bin Mohammed Al Ali stressed the importance of continuing the implementation of the Gulf Food Security Strategy, as it puts forward shared programs, projects, and initiatives, affirming that the State of Qatar is keen to execute everything that falls within its responsibility.

This, he said, includes enhancing follow-up mechanisms and measuring the level of achievement to help achieve the objectives and promote integration among the GCC states.

Al Ali hailed the efforts made to consider establishing Gulf strategic stockpiles for food, medicines, and other essential supplies, emphasizing the importance of this effort in developing an integrated Gulf strategic stockpiling system, strengthening the resilience of food systems, and ensuring the continuity of essential supplies during crises and emergencies.

Nationally, Al Ali highlighted that the State of Qatar is diligently moving ahead with its efforts to beef up the food security system through supporting domestic production and deepening the strategic stockpile, as well as advanced agricultural technologies and innovation, in addition to fostering partnerships with the private sector, diversifying import sources, and improving supply chain efficiency.

Leveraging digital solutions and AI-powered technologies is crucial to developing early warning and foresight systems, he acknowledged, stating that this would bolster capabilities for monitoring risks, predicting challenges, and responding to them promptly, as well as helping build a more flexible and enduring food system.

  Finally, Al Ali reiterated his thanks and gratitude to the GCC General Secretariat and the Kingdom of Bahrain, the current chair, as well as all committees, working groups, and relevant authorities.

He expressed hope that the meeting's work would produce practical outcomes that strengthen food security, advance the agricultural sector, and entrench the path of Gulf cooperation and integration.

The meeting focused on an array of matters, chiefly the food security strategy, using artificial intelligence in managing farms and increasing productivity, as well as standardizing procedures for medicines, vaccines, and veterinary products, cooperating in the areas of aquatic resources and genetic resources, establishing Gulf strategic stockpiles for food, medicines, and other essential supplies, and following up on the decisions of the Agricultural Cooperation and Food Security Committee. (QNA)