Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, received Dr. Ibrahim Al-Dakhiri, Director-General of the Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development, on 6 July at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Cairo, Egypt.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between the League and the Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development in promoting sustainable agricultural development in the Arab region. They also discussed the challenges facing the agricultural sector in the region, including water scarcity, environmental degradation, climate change, and food security.
Mr. Aboul Gheit and Dr. Al-Dakhiri emphasised the importance of addressing these challenges through collaborative efforts among Arab countries and with international partners. They also highlighted the need to adopt innovative solutions and best practices to promote sustainable agricultural development, enhance food security, and improve the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities in the region.
During the meeting, Dr. Al-Dakhiri briefed Secretary-General Aboul Gheit on the current situation and status of the Sudanese agricultural sector, including the challenges it faces and the efforts being made to address them, said Gamal Roshdy, the official spokesman of the Secretary-General.
The discussion focused on ways to enhance cooperation between the League and the Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development to support sustainable agricultural development in Sudan and the wider Arab region
Mr. Aboul Gheit expressed his concern about the serious impact of the ongoing conflict in Sudan on food security in both Sudan and the wider Arab region. The conflict has led to the disruption of agricultural projects, the cessation of transport of goods, and the damage of large quantities of food, leading to an increase in food prices.
Secretary-General Aboul Gheit emphasised the urgent need for rapid action at the Arab and international levels to address these dangerous conditions and mitigate the impact of the conflict on food security in Sudan and the region. He called for increased cooperation and support for Sudan to help address the challenges facing the agricultural sector and promote sustainable development.
Mr. Aboul Gheit and Dr. Al-Dakhiri discussed the outlines of a plan to save the Sudanese agricultural season, which was prepared by the Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the League.
The plan aims to secure trade and supply chains for grains and food products in Sudan, and to address the challenges facing the agricultural sector in the country. It includes measures to support farmers and rural communities, enhance food security, and promote sustainable agricultural development.
Secretary-General Aboul Gheit expressed his support for the plan and emphasised the importance of implementing it as soon as possible to mitigate the impact of the conflict on food security in Sudan. He also stressed the need for increased cooperation and support from the international community to address the challenges facing the agricultural sector in the country.
According to Roshdy, the plan aims primarily to enable Sudanese farmers to export their agricultural commodities to local and neighbouring markets. It includes measures to address the challenges facing the agricultural sector in Sudan, such as the disruption of agricultural projects, the cessation of transport of goods, and the damage of large quantities of food. It is also meant to secure trade and supply chains for grains and food products, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and support farmers and rural communities.
Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has directed the formation of a committee comprising members of the Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development, the concerned sectors of the General Secretariat, the Permanent Delegation of Sudan to the League of Arab States, and relevant Arab and international bodies. The committee will work towards implementing the decisions of the Arab Summit regarding the files of Sudan and Arab food security.
The committee will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the plan to save the Sudanese agricultural season and for coordinating efforts among Arab and international partners to address the challenges facing the agricultural sector in Sudan. It will also work towards promoting sustainable agricultural development and food security in the wider Arab region.
Mr. Aboul Gheit and Dr. Ibrahim Al-Dakhiri also discussed a number of other important issues related to the challenges facing Sudan and the wider Arab region. In addition to the challenges facing the agricultural sector in Sudan, the meeting also addressed the difficulties facing the banking and transport sectors in the country. The two leaders discussed ways to address these challenges and to promote sustainable development and economic growth in Sudan.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the Arab strategy for food security and other related initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural development and enhancing food security in the region.
