GCC Moves to Strengthen Food Security, Agricultural Supply Chains

Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Eng. Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak chaired the 38th meeting of the Committee on Agricultural Cooperation and Food Security of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held in Bahrain as the Kingdom chairs the 46th session of the GCC.

The meeting was attended by ministers and senior officials responsible for agriculture and food security affairs from GCC member states, along with GCC Secretary-General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

At the opening, Al Mubarak highlighted Bahrain’s efforts to support local production, expand the use of modern agricultural technologies and support Bahraini farmers.

The minister also stressed the importance of strengthening Gulf cooperation and coordination in agricultural and livestock production, supply chains and food safety, while making use of shared expertise and capabilities to enhance the GCC countries’ preparedness and support sustainable food security systems.

He further underscored the importance of harmonising relevant Gulf legislation and regulations to strengthen integration among GCC states and facilitate the movement of agricultural and livestock products, while improving the efficiency of procedures and levels of protection and safety in line with scientific and technical developments.

The meeting’s agenda included the review and development of several unified GCC regulations and legislation, including the Law on Pesticides, the Executive Regulations of the Law on Fertilisers and Soil Conditioners, and the Executive Regulations of the Veterinary Quarantine Law.

The participants also discussed the Genetic Resources Bank and the GCC Food Security Strategy, as well as the exchange of expertise and experiences in agricultural, livestock and food security fields.

During the meeting, the participating ministers approved a number of decisions included on the agenda, paving the way for their submission to the GCC Supreme Council.