Minister of Development and Public Administration: Kuwait attaches great importance to food security and supports efforts for Gulf integration
Manama, March 9 (KUNA) -- Minister of State for Development and Sustainability Dr. Reem Al-Faleh affirmed today that Kuwait attaches great importance to the food security file and supports efforts aimed at enhancing Gulf integration in this field, particularly regarding strategic reserves, the sustainability of supply chains, the exchange of expertise and information, and the development of common legislation and regulations.
This statement was made by Minister Al-Faleh to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) following her participation in the 38th meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Agricultural Cooperation and Food Security Committee, held in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The meeting was attended by GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Bedaiwi and heads of participating delegations.
Minister Al-Faleh, who heads the Kuwaiti delegation to the meeting, stated that the gathering was held to continue joint Gulf efforts to enhance cooperation and integration among GCC member states in the agricultural and food sectors, thereby supporting the achievement of food security and resource sustainability in the Gulf countries.
She stressed the importance of continuing work to transition Gulf cooperation in the agricultural and food sectors to broader levels of integration and coordination, thereby strengthening the GCC states' capacity to deal with regional and international crises and challenges, and consolidating a sustainable Gulf food security system.
She explained that the meeting discussed several priority Gulf files, foremost among them the study on establishing strategic Gulf storage zones for food, medicines, and other necessities, the food security strategy, and the plant genetic assets bank. These initiatives aim to enhance the preparedness and capacity of GCC states to confront challenges and changes related to food security and supply chains.
She added that the agenda also included reviewing a number of common Gulf legislations and regulations in the agricultural field, including lists of prohibited and restricted pesticides, the amended draft law on the (system) of pesticides, the draft executive regulations for the amended law on the (system) of fertilizers and soil conditioners, as well as the unified system regarding inputs and organic products for GCC member states.
She noted that the meeting discussed several topics related to health and livestock, foremost among them the draft executive regulations for the amended Veterinary Quarantine Law, the unified procurement of veterinary medicines and vaccines, and the central registration of veterinary preparations. These measures contribute to raising the level of Gulf coordination and strengthening the animal and veterinary health security system in GCC states.
She further mentioned that the meeting discussed unifying the minimum allowable catch lengths for certain fish species, in line with joint Gulf efforts to conserve fish stocks, develop the fisheries sector, and ensure its sustainability.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Al-Faleh met with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the sister Kingdom of Bahrain, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. During the meeting, they reaffirmed the deep, historic, and solid brotherly relations uniting Gulf countries and the importance of continuing to enhance joint cooperation and coordination among GCC member states in various fields, particularly those related to food security.
(End) K.N.A. / T.M.A.
