Al-Dukhairi Affirms the Importance of Arab Economic Integration for Food Safety and Health
Sudan Events – Follow-ups
Professor Ibrahim Adam Al-Dukhairi, Director of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, emphasized the pivotal role of Arab economic integration in enhancing food safety, health, and plant health, highlighting the close connection between achieving food security and economic and social sustainability in Arab countries.
On Tuesday, Al-Dukhairi addressed the opening session of the First Arab Forum on Food Safety and Health Measures, organized jointly by the General Secretariat of the Arab League and the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, within the framework of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area, held in Cairo from November 26-28, 2024. Over 70 experts from Arab countries participated in the forum.
Al-Dukhairi reviewed the main challenges facing Arab countries in food safety, health, and plant health, noting the impact of these challenges on human health and sustainable development. He pointed out that protecting the health of the Arab consumer and reducing agricultural losses due to pests and diseases were among the top priorities. He stressed that the forum’s outcomes would contribute to supporting Arab economic integration and improving food safety and health standards in the region, which would positively impact citizens’ health, quality of life, and increase the global competitiveness of Arab food products.
He added that strengthening health and plant health measures would help increase agricultural productivity by reducing crop losses due to pests and diseases, thus supporting the sustainability of food supplies. Al-Dukhairi noted that the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development aims to make this forum a key platform for coordinating efforts and enhancing cooperation between member states of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area, in collaboration with relevant international and regional organizations.
He confirmed that the forum aims to exchange expertise and best practices in food safety, health, and plant health, harmonize regulations and standards among Arab countries, and encourage the adoption of new technologies and innovations, such as biotechnology and smart systems for quality control. This would improve the competitiveness of Arab food industries in global markets.
He affirmed that the forum would produce recommendations that will serve as a roadmap for addressing food safety, health, and plant health issues in the Arab region, contributing to the promotion of sustainable economic and social development.
