Minister of Development: Kuwait supports strengthening Gulf integration to ensure food security and supply sustainability
Kuwait’s Minister of State for Development and Sustainability, Dr. Reem Al-Falih, confirmed on Thursday that the State of Kuwait attaches great importance to food security issues 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-Falih in an interview with the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), following her participation in the 38th meeting of the Agricultural Cooperation and Food Security Committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The meeting was held in the Kingdom of Bahrain, attended by the Secretary-General of the GCC, Jassem Al-Budaiwi, and the heads of participating delegations.
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Minister Al-Falih, 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 region.
She emphasized 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’s capacity to handle regional and international crises and challenges, and solidifying a sustainable Gulf food security system.
She clarified that the meeting discussed several priority Gulf files, foremost among them the study of establishing joint strategic storage zones for food, medicines, and other necessities, as well as 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 GCC legislations and regulations in the agricultural field, including lists of prohibited and restricted pesticides, the revised draft law (system) on pesticides, the draft executive regulations for the revised law (system) on fertilizers and soil conditioners, alongside the unified system regarding organic inputs and products for GCC member states.
She noted that the meeting discussed several topics related to animal health and livestock, foremost among them the draft executive regulations for the revised Animal Quarantine Law, the joint 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 security system in GCC states.
She mentioned that the meeting also discussed unifying the minimum allowed lengths for catching certain fish species, as part of joint Gulf efforts to preserve fish stocks, develop the fisheries sector, and ensure its sustainability.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Al-Falih met with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the fraternal Kingdom of Bahrain, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. During the meeting, the deep-rooted historical and fraternal relations uniting Gulf countries were reaffirmed, along with the importance of continuing to enhance joint cooperation and coordination among GCC states in various fields, particularly those related to food security.
