From 21 to 23 January, Berik Aryn, Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), paid a working visit to the Lebanese Republic, opening a new chapter in dialogue on food security and agricultural cooperation in the Middle East, DKNews.kz reports.
During the visit, Mr. Aryn held meetings with Dr. Nizar Hani, Lebanon’s Minister of Agriculture, and Salim Baddoura, Director General of the Department for International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lebanon. The talks focused on Lebanon’s growing interest in deeper engagement with IOFS and the country’s possible accession to the Organization.
Focus on practical benefits, not formalities
Lebanese officials expressed strong interest in the work of IOFS, emphasizing that any future membership should be built on clear, practical outcomes. In particular, the Lebanese side highlighted the importance of developing concept notes that would clearly outline:
- the tangible benefits of potential IOFS membership,
- priority areas for project-based cooperation,
- and mechanisms that could support national food security and agricultural resilience.
Such a pragmatic approach reflects Lebanon’s current challenges in the agri-food sector and its interest in solutions that deliver measurable results rather than symbolic participation.
Kazakhstan and Lebanon: agriculture as common ground
Beyond the multilateral agenda, the meetings also addressed opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and Lebanon, especially in agriculture. The sides discussed prospects for increasing mutual trade in agricultural products, as well as strengthening ties between producers, exporters and relevant institutions.
Kazakhstan’s role is particularly notable given that IOFS is headquartered in Astana, positioning the country as a key platform for international cooperation on food security across the Islamic world and beyond.
Food security as a regional priority
Observers note that Lebanon’s interest in IOFS reflects a broader regional trend: countries are increasingly seeking collective solutions to food security challenges amid climate change, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical uncertainty.
The visit by the IOFS Director General signals not only Lebanon’s openness to new partnerships, but also the growing relevance of IOFS as a practical, project-oriented organization capable of connecting countries, expertise and resources.
As discussions continue, the groundwork laid during this visit may translate into closer cooperation – both within IOFS and at the bilateral level between Kazakhstan and Lebanon.
