Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) was represented in the ECO-RCC Inception workshop in Ankara, Turkey on 23-24 September 2013 by Mr. Abdulhaki Körbayram, Researcher and Mr. Efe Kerem Aydın, Programme Coordinator. The workshop was jointly organised by Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), ECO Regional Coordination Centre for Food Security (ECO-RCC) and Food, Agriculture and Livestock Ministry of Turkey. The workshop was attended by delegations of ECO Member Countries, namely Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Turkey and also by representatives of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), The Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), ECO Regional Seed Association (ECOSA) and Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

The first day of the workshop started with the opening session in which ECO secretariat, FAO and Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock of Turkey (MFAL) representatives made their speeches. The opening session followed by the presentation of Regional Programme for Food Security (RPFS) and its components. Afterwards, the corporate presentation introducing the mandates and activities of the ECO-RCC was made by Mr. Ömer Özel.

Afternoon sessions witnessed the presentations and responses of the Member Countries on the following questions:

• What are the policies, programmes, strategies or initiatives currently implemented in your country to improve food security? What is the current status? 
• What are the main food security issues and priorities at national and regional levels? 
• Does the RPFS address these issues and priorities? Is there a need to review and modify the RPFS? 
• What might be the most effective solutions for overcoming food security challenges in the ECO region? 
• What resources and potentials are available in Member States to be used for successful implementation of RPFS? 
• How can we improve cooperation and how can we share responsibilities among Member States?

The second day of the workshop included partnership opportunities and cooperation ideas and proposals as well as field trips. In the partnership opportunities session SESRIC presented “State of Agriculture and Food Security in OIC Member Countries: Opportunities for Cooperation”. Mr. Körbayram introduced SESRIC and outcomes of the recent OIC Agriculture Report prepared by SESRIC, along with major challenges, constraints and potentials. Mr. Aydın especially introduced the OIC and SESRIC training, technical cooperation and statistical activities in the field of agriculture and food security.

Documents

Agenda (English)

Presentations

State of Agriculture and Food Security in OIC Member Countries: Opportunities for Cooperation, SESRIC (English)

Photos