SESRIC participated in the “International Conference on Wheat and Rice Value Chain Development and Food Losses and Waste Strategies in CWANA Region”. The Conference was organized by the IOFS in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye and the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), in Ankara, Türkiye.

The 3-day International Conference brought together rice and wheat experts from the Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region to exchange knowledge and practices in production, strategy and policy formulation, and agricultural management. Through engaging discussions, presentations, and interactive sessions, participants delved into core issues related to production, distribution, post-harvest processes, and market access.

During the Conference, Dr. Kenan Bağcı, Senior Researcher at the Centre, moderated the policy debate on sustainable value chain development. During the debate, he also briefed the participants on the critical importance of creating regional value chains for fostering regional development across the OIC. Referring to a forthcoming joint study of SESRIC with the International Islamic Trade Financing Corporation (ITFC), Dr Bağcı provided insights on the opportunities and challenges of creating regional value chains in the case of Trans-Saharan Road corridor countries.

Additionally, the Conference sought to improve the work plan for the next cycle of action research in consultation with national and local project partners. A significant focus was placed on addressing food losses and waste, a pressing concern that resonates across the OIC Member States. The event encompassed the session devoted to food losses and waste to identify specific strategies, policies, and initiatives that can be implemented in CWANA region. Based on the session’s discussions plans are underway to develop joint projects at the country and regional level.