Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk met with Saudi Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Osama Faqeeha on Saturday 6 June to discuss ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in agriculture, food security, and environmental protection.
Both sides emphasized the strength of the historic and fraternal relationship between the two countries and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing coordination that supports long-term sustainable development.
Farouk stressed the importance of agricultural and environmental integration, highlighting that closer cooperation can help advance shared priorities across both countries while also serving broader objectives for the Arab region.
The two officials agreed that aligning Egyptian and Saudi positions in international forums, particularly in relation to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), is essential for ensuring that joint efforts contribute effectively to regional interests.
A key outcome of the discussions was the agreement to establish a permanent joint technical committee between the two agriculture ministries.
The officials also highlighted the need to maintain regular meetings of the Egyptian-Saudi Joint Coordination Committee, chaired by the agriculture ministers of both countries, to monitor developments in the agricultural sector and strengthen integration aimed at enhancing food security.
During the meeting, Farouk extended an invitation to Saudi officials, technical experts, and investors to conduct field visits to Egyptian export-oriented farms and production facilities, including crop and poultry operations, with a focus on observing the application of high standards of quality and biosecurity.
The minister further emphasized the strategic value of increasing joint Egyptian-Saudi agricultural investments in Africa, citing the continent’s significant arable land and water resources.
He argued that greater investment ties could help address challenges linked to climate change and disruptions to global supply chains, while also leveraging Egypt’s agricultural expertise alongside Saudi investment capabilities to foster development partnerships benefiting the wider region.
Finally, both sides agreed to move forward with renewing cooperation in veterinary services to facilitate livestock trade and enhance animal health protection. They also discussed opportunities for collaboration in improving breeds of cattle, sheep, and goats, while exploring ways to benefit from Egypt’s experience in land reclamation and agricultural development.
Comments (0)