General Secretariat – Doha
His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stressed that the GCC countries regard food security as a critical issue, one that concerns many nations and regional and international organisations, affirming that the GCC General Secretariat, through its strategic partnerships, places this issue at the top of its priorities.
This statement was made during the 36th Ministerial Meeting of Their Excellencies, the Members of the Agricultural Cooperation and Food Security Committee of the GCC countries, held on Thursday (September 5, 2024) in Doha, Qatar.
The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Eng. Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, Minister of Municipality of the State of Qatar, President of the current session, with the participation of Their Excellencies, the Members of the Agricultural Cooperation and Food Security Committee of the GCC countries.
At the beginning of his speech, HE the Secretary General extended his highest gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, President of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, as well as to his brothers, Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the Cooperation Council states, for their continuous support in enhancing the path of joint Gulf action in various fields, especially in agriculture and food security. He wished the government and people of Qatar continued progress, advancement and prosperity under His Highness's wise leadership.
In his speech, HE the Secretary General praised the excellent plans, distinguished programmes and significant steps taken by all the GCC states to ensure food security.
Their Excellencies, members of the GCC Agricultural Cooperation and Food Security Committee, discussed several important topics related to joint cooperation in agriculture, livestock, fisheries and food security among the GCC countries, and made appropriate decisions regarding them. The key topics addressed in this meeting included the presentation of the draft food security strategy for guidance to Their Excellencies the Ministers.
A number of unified regulations and laws were also approved, such as the Organic Inputs and Products Law, the Common Law for Exploitation and Protection of Living Aquatic Resources in the GCC States, the Executive Regulations of the Law on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and the Executive Regulations of the Law on Fertilisers and Agricultural Soil Improvers. Additional relevant topics included in the meeting’s agenda were also discussed.
It is worth noting that the Committee had previously approved several unified laws related to agricultural affairs and their regulation, including the Pesticides Law, the Fertilizers and Soil Improvers Law, the Agricultural Quarantine Law, and the Veterinary Quarantine Law.
