Saudi Arabia Advocates For Arab Unity In Combatting Environmental And Agricultural Hurdles

Riyadh, SPA – In a significant gathering in Riyadh, Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli, Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and president of the 38th General Assembly of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), called for a unified Arab effort to tackle the environmental challenges that the region and the globe are currently facing. This call to action was made during his speech at the opening of the AOAD's 38th General Assembly. The event saw the presence of key figures such as Dr. Raed Al-Jubouri, Director of the Department of Arab Organizations and Unions at the Arab League, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Dukhairi, Director-General of the AOAD, Assad Abdul Razzaq, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation of Somalia and former President of the general assembly, along with agriculture ministers from member states and various specialists and experts.

Al-Fadhli emphasized the Arab region's rich biodiversity, natural resources, and diverse agricultural environments as a foundation to leverage technology and innovation in agriculture. He highlighted the need for improved agricultural practices to enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in water and natural resource usage. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of boosting regional and international trade and cooperation to face environmental challenges effectively.

The assembly discussed critical issues such as water scarcity, desertification, land degradation, climate change, conflicts, security issues, economic shocks, pandemics, and disruptions in food supply chains. These challenges have profound implications on millions across the Arab world, affecting their daily lives and overall well-being.

Dr. Raed Al-Jubouri underscored that food security is crucial for Arab national security. He pointed out how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains and how the Russian-Ukrainian conflict highlighted the need for preparedness in reducing dependency on grain imports.

Dr. Ibrahim Al-Dukhairi spoke about developing strategies for agricultural sustainability, rural development, and food security. He emphasized launching initiatives and partnerships to support agricultural development at both regional and international levels. Al-Dukhairi also mentioned supporting smallholder producers and farmers as a priority for the organization.

Assad Abdul Razzaq addressed the session amidst several challenges facing Arab countries, including regional and international crises that have exacerbated food security challenges. He highlighted the importance of supporting food security initiatives and smallholder farmers to achieve sustainability in agricultural supply chains and reduce food waste and loss.

The 38th General Assembly of AOAD marks a pivotal moment for Arab countries to come together to address pressing environmental challenges through cooperation and solidarity. The discussions underscored a collective optimism towards leveraging regional strengths to overcome obstacles for a sustainable agricultural future.

With inputs from SPA