SESRIC participated in the 23^rd Meeting of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) Agriculture Working Group, held in Ankara from September 19 to 20, 2024. The meeting centred on the theme “Developing Livestock Production and Fisheries to Enhance Food Security and Promote Sustainable Agricultural Development in OIC Countries”. It gathered representatives from agricultural authorities of OIC member countries, along with representatives from OIC institutions and various international organisations.

The meeting commenced with presentations on the Agricultural Outlook of OIC member countries and a draft research report tailored to the meeting's theme, followed by a discussion of lessons learned from selected case studies and potential policy options. Additionally, representatives from OIC countries, including Gambia, Iran and Oman as well as international institutions such as IOFS and FAO, shared their experiences and best practices in enhancing livestock production and fisheries. This collaborative exchange provided valuable insights into effective strategies for development.

The second day of the meeting continued with a policy debate session, where delegates discussed the formulation of policy recommendations for the upcoming 40^th COMCEC Ministerial Session, focusing on enhancing livestock production and fisheries to improve food security in OIC member countries.

The meeting concluded with a field visit to the International Center for Livestock Research and Training, providing participants with first-hand insights into innovative practices in the sector.

The Working Group (WG) mechanism serves as one of the main instruments of the COMCEC Strategy towards the realisation of its objectives. The Strategy ensures active and direct involvement of the member country experts in the COMCEC cooperation areas, through regular WG meetings in each cooperation area. The WGs aim to produce and disseminate knowledge and share experience and good practices. They also provide a suitable platform for creating a common understanding and approximating policies among the member countries to overcome their common development problems.

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