GCC agriculture officials meet in Kuwait to tackle food security challenges
The Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) hosted an extraordinary meeting on Monday in Kuwait, bringing together undersecretaries responsible for agriculture and food security from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
The meeting focused on addressing the administrative, financial, and strategic dimensions of Gulf food security in light of mounting global challenges, according to Al-Jarida daily.
In his opening remarks, Director General Salem Al-Hai emphasized that the urgency of the meeting stems from escalating threats to global food and water security — threats that are particularly acute in the Gulf region.
He stated that the meeting aims to chart a unified course that reflects the collective Gulf vision for building a resilient and sustainable food security system.
Al-Hai stressed the need for strategic, realistic, and cooperative solutions to confront challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and disruptions in global supply chains, noting that these issues transcend borders and demand immediate action.
Key topics under discussion included:
- Enhancing institutional and technical cooperation among GCC states.
- Exchanging expertise in agriculture, food production, and processing.
- Accelerating the implementation of joint Gulf strategies.
- Exploring smart agriculture and modern technologies.
- Identifying barriers to food security and establishing joint mechanisms to overcome them.
Al-Hai praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for presenting a bold strategic initiative during the meeting and expressed hope that it would serve as a regional model to raise awareness and promote deeper cooperation in achieving shared food security goals.
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