Global experts meet in Turkey to tackle food waste

Bahrain has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national food security and improving the efficiency of global food supply chains, as ministers and experts gathered in Istanbul for an international meeting focused on reducing post-harvest losses.

Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture, Eng. Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, took part in the ministerial discussions hosted by Turkey’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in the Turkish capital, bringing together ministers from several countries alongside specialists in agriculture, logistics and food security.

The meeting focused on improving the resilience of food systems and reducing waste after harvest, a growing global concern amid ongoing disruptions to international supply chains in recent years.

In his remarks, the Bahraini minister said the country’s approach to food security is guided by its leadership, with an emphasis on long-term sustainability and diversification of supply sources. He pointed to national strategies aimed at strengthening food systems, expanding strategic storage capacity, and enhancing regional and international partnerships.

He said recent global disruptions demonstrated the importance of preparedness and flexibility in ensuring the continuous flow of essential food supplies. He added that Bahrain remains committed to strengthening its national food security framework in line with regional and international developments.

A key focus of his intervention was post-harvest loss reduction, which he described as a central pillar of food security and sustainability. He stressed the importance of adopting modern agricultural technologies, artificial intelligence and digital transformation to improve efficiency, reduce waste and optimise resource management across food supply chains.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the minister thanked the Republic of Turkey for hosting the event and praised the efforts of its Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in facilitating international cooperation on food security.