The ministerial members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, GCC, Agricultural Cooperation Committee held their 28th meeting in the Kingdom of Bahrain, chaired by Essam bin Abdullah Khalaf, Bahraini Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning and Chairman of the current session of the committee, with the participation of Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, GCC Secretary-General.
During the meeting, Essam bin Abdullah Khalaf stressed that the world is facing numerous challenges related to food security, which is linked to population growth, urban overcrowding and climate change. He called for intensifying efforts to achieve the GCC’s vision of food sustainability and the protection of livestock and agricultural wealth for future generations.
He added that the committee’s meetings are based upon the great vision of the leaders of the GCC countries to achieve the highest standards of integration in different developmental fields between the council’s countries, including sustainable agricultural development, to execute joint agricultural policies that will contribute to greater productivity, the sustainability of national food resources and the protection of common wealth.
During his speech, Dr. Al Zayani presented his appreciation to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain and President of the Current Cycle of the GCC Supreme Council, and the government and people of the Kingdom for their support, care and interest in the joint efforts between Gulf countries, in compliance with the aspirations of the citizens of GCC countries towards greater integration.
He also praised the exceptional efforts by the ministers and members of the GCC Agricultural Cooperation Committee to monitor its work and missions, based upon their understanding of its prominent role in strengthening joint Gulf efforts and meeting its responsibility to face the challenges of achieving food security for the council’s member countries, with the support of Their Majesties and Highnesses, the Leaders of the Council’s countries.
Dr. Al Zayani added that the committee specialises in agricultural co-operation between GCC countries, while appreciating the support and monitoring of the committee’s members, which accomplished many important related issues, including a unified plant quarantine law, the "Gulf Reference Guide" for the procedures of veterinary quarantine and other important topics presented on the work schedule of the meeting, to make and confirm appropriate decisions.

Source: WAM