SESRIC participated in the COMCEC COVID-19 Agriculture Consultative Meeting which was held on June 30, 2020, in a virtual format, with the theme of “The Impacts of COVID-19 on Food Security and Agriculture in the OIC Member Countries.” The meeting was attended by representatives of 17 OIC member countries and experts from relevant OIC institutions and international organizations.

The consultative meeting discussed the current and potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on agriculture and food security, exchanged good practices and experiences among the member countries, and consider the cooperation opportunities based on the needs and expertise of the member countries.

Mr. Fahman Fathurrahman, Researcher, representing the SESRIC thereat, made a presentation on the ‘Impacts of COVID-19 on Food Security and Agriculture in OIC Member Countries’. In his presentation, Mr. Fahman stressed on multiple threats (pest, conflict, extreme weather) that are pressuring the agriculture and food security and warned the possible doubling of the number of the food-insecure population due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, he underlined the need for enhancing intra-OIC cooperation to keep the agri-food value chains functioning and protecting the most vulnerable populations to minimize the negative impacts of the pandemic in OIC member countries and elsewhere.