Astana, Kazakhstan — Somalia’s envoy has held discussions in Kazakhstan’s capital on ways to strengthen food security, livestock development, and drought relief for the Horn of Africa nation, according to local reports. Somali Ambassador Fathudin Ali Mohamed met Berik Aryn, Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), at the body’s headquarters on Monday, official statements indicate.
The two sides focused on expanding cooperation that could help Mogadishu secure stable grain supplies, upgrade veterinary services, and build systems to counter recurring drought.
Local sources report that the IOFS outlined existing technical — assistance schemes covering wheat and rice value chains, while the ambassador stressed Somalia’s need for rapid livestock vaccination programs and feed-supply networks.
The talks did not yield any signed agreements, but both parties agreed to form a joint technical team that will draft project proposals within the next two months, according to regional officials. Somalia is emerging from a sixth consecutive failed rainy season that has left more than 4 million people facing acute food shortages, according to United Nations estimates released earlier this month.
Official statements indicate that Kazakhstan, itself a major wheat exporter, has previously supplied humanitarian grain consignments to several African states through the IOFS, an affiliate of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Further details on potential funding or delivery timelines were not immediately available.
The technical team is expected to reconvene in Istanbul before mid — April to present an action plan, according to sources close to the matter.
Officials have not yet commented on whether financial commitments have been secured from either government.
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Source: sonna.
