Darrar Al-Mustafa, Head of the Regional Office of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD) in the Arabian Peninsula, affirmed that the issuance of Decree Law No. 81 of 2025, approving the agreement between the Government of Kuwait and AOAD to establish the organization’s regional headquarters in Kuwait, reflects the country’s commitment to agricultural development, food security, and joint Arab cooperation to achieve sustainable Arab agricultural security.

In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Thursday, Al-Mustafa said the decree underscores the political leadership’s dedication to supporting joint Arab action across all fields. He praised the support of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (may God protect and bless him), and the issuance of the decree, which designates Kuwait as AOAD’s regional headquarters—a move that reflects His Highness’s keen interest in agricultural and food security.

He added that selecting Kuwait as the headquarters for the Office of Arab Ministers of Agriculture will significantly contribute to achieving AOAD’s goals of Arab integration and sustainable food security. It will also serve as a vital platform for launching the organization’s programs and activities in Kuwait and the region, reaffirming trust in Kuwait’s unwavering support for joint Arab efforts in all domains.

Al-Mustafa noted that Kuwait is a founding and key supporter of AOAD, having implemented hundreds of regional projects and developmental programs across Arab countries. He highlighted that AOAD regularly hosts Kuwaiti and Arabian Peninsula professionals in Kuwait, training them in modern scientific techniques and enhancing their skills through specialized courses held in various Arab nations.

He emphasized the importance of Kuwait hosting the regional office "amid economic challenges and climate change, particularly in basic commodity-producing and exporting countries, against the backdrop of an Arab food gap estimated at approximately $40.39 billion for 2023—as reported in AOAD’s 35th Annual Report on Arab Food Security Conditions for 2023."

Al-Mustafa pointed out that Kuwait’s selection as AOAD’s regional headquarters in the Arabian Peninsula also stems from the organization’s pivotal role in advancing Arab agriculture and food security through initiatives such as the Arab Sustainable Agricultural Development Strategy (2020–2030), the Arab Program for Food Security Sustainability, and the Arab Strategy for Sustainable Management of Pastoral Resources (2020–2040), along with their associated programs and activities.

He recalled Kuwait’s call at the 31st Arab Summit in Algeria to activate a comprehensive and integrated Arab food security strategy, enhance its mechanisms, and expedite its implementation in line with Arab League Resolution No. 8766 (157th Session).

Al-Mustafa also referenced Kuwait’s hosting of the first Arab Economic Summit in 2009, aimed at achieving the Arab world’s developmental goals and fulfilling the aspirations of Arab peoples for food and economic security.

Furthermore, he highlighted ongoing cooperation between AOAD and Kuwait in supporting the Kuwait National Afforestation Initiative, the Transboundary Animal Disease Control Program, and aquaculture development.

Al-Mustafa expressed his gratitude to the Government of Kuwait and the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAFR) for supporting the regional office in fostering cooperation and integration between AOAD and regional countries. This collaboration aims to advance agricultural development and food security by leveraging available natural resources, enhancing agricultural productivity, diversifying outputs, and promoting investment using the best scientific and technical methods.

He noted that AOAD publishes several periodic reports, most notably the Annual Arab Food Security Report, along with statistical publications on Arab agricultural and fisheries data. The organization has also contributed to capacity building by training thousands of Arab professionals in agricultural, livestock, and fisheries fields.

It is worth mentioning that the aforementioned decree was published last Sunday in Kuwait Today’s Issue No. 1746.