Istanbul: Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, participated in the international ministerial meeting on reducing post-harvest losses and improving food supply chain efficiency, held in Istanbul, the Republic of Trkiye. The meeting was organised by the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and brought together ministers, officials, and experts in food security, agriculture, and food supply chains from around the world.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Minister Al Mubarak emphasized that under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Bahrain prioritizes strengthening food security and ensuring resilient supply chains. This is achieved through national strategies, diversified import sources, expanded strategic storage capacity, and stronger regional and international partnerships.
He noted that recent challenges affecting global supply chains have underscored the importance of preparedness and flexibility to ensure the continued flow of food supplies. He reiterated Bahrain's commitment to further developing its food security system and keeping pace with regional and international developments.
The Municipalities Minister also condemned the Iranian attacks targeting Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which resulted in casualties and damage to infrastructure, including energy facilities, water systems, and transport networks. He stated that these attacks have impacted regional and international supply chains and stressed the importance of joint efforts to maintain regional stability and ensure the uninterrupted flow of essential goods and services.
He added that reducing post-harvest losses is a key part of strengthening food security and sustainability, highlighting the importance of modern agricultural technologies, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in improving production, supply chain efficiency, resource management, and loss reduction.
Participants emphasized the importance of stronger international cooperation and partnerships between governments, international organisations, and the private sector to reduce post-harvest losses through modern technologies and innovative solutions. They also discussed recommendations on improving storage, cooling, and transport systems, enhancing agricultural resource management, and promoting circular economy practices and the use of agricultural waste to improve food supply chain efficiency and reduce food waste nationally and internationally.