MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman on Sunday organised a symposium themed 'The Right to Food' to mark the Arab Human Rights Day, which falls on March 16 every year.
The symposium, held at the Diplomatic Club, was aimed to raise public awareness about the importance of advancing human rights in accordance with international and regional conventions. It also focused on the Sultanate of Oman’s efforts to enhance food security and related national policies.
The symposium was held under the auspices of Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali al Harthy, Under-Secretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs. It was organised by Oman Human Rights Commission in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry.
The event highlighted national and regional legislation on ensuring the right to food security. It underlined the Sultanate of Oman's role in supporting humanitarian issues, notably the rights of Palestinian people.
In a speech at the symposium, Saleh bin Yahya al Maskari, Head of the Global Affairs Department at the Foreign Ministry, said that the right to food is not only related to the availability of food but also to the diversity, affordability and accessibility to food.
“The worsening of the food crisis in the Gaza Strip due to Israel’s closure of crossings and the occupation state’s prevention of the entry of humanitarian aid to more than two million Palestinians in Gaza constitutes a flagrant violation of international conventions and treaties, as well as international humanitarian law which underscores the need to provide basic livelihood needs to civilians without obstacles,” Al Maskeri added.
He emphasised that the Sultanate of Oman pays great attention to food security, and is constantly working to strengthen food security system and accelerate the transition towards efficient agricultural food systems capable of withstanding global challenges within the framework of Oman Vision 2040, which emphasises the importance of food security as one of the pillars of sustainable development and economic diversification programmes, including the agricultural, fisheries, and water resources sectors.
For his part, Dr Rashid bin Hamad al Balushi, Chairman of Oman Human Rights Commission, said that the celebration of the event affirms Arab countries' commitment to the protection of human rights in line with regional and international conventions.
Dr Al Balushi said: "Choosing the right to food as a slogan to commemorate this year's Arab Human Rights Day, is an affirmation of one of the most important fundamental human rights. Food is a fundamental right guaranteed by international agreements and treaties, and is an integral part of the human right to a dignified life and sustainable development."
Achieving the right to food requires cooperation between governments, international organisations, and civil society to ensure food availability for all and promote sustainable development to meet the needs of present and future generations, he said.
The symposium is aimed at raising awareness of the importance of the right to food as a fundamental right under international and regional human rights conventions, discuss the Sultanate of Oman's efforts to promote food security and related national policies, highlight the humanitarian efforts undertaken by Oman, and highlight its role in supporting humanitarian issues, especially with regard to the Palestinian people.
The celebration of Arab Human Rights Day affirms Arab countries' commitment to international and regional human rights conventions and agreements, particularly the Arab Charter on Human Rights. It represents an opportunity to review and evaluate human rights achievements and challenges in the Arab world, and to promote dialogue with the aim of developing policies and legislation that guarantee human rights in Arab countries.
The symposium included working papers in which the first working paper, presented by Dr Saleh bin Hamad al Barashdi, Chairman of the Monitoring and Complaints Committee, addressed international and regional conventions related to the right to food. He reviewed the most prominent agreements and treaties that promote this right as a fundamental human right.
Al Barashdi stressed the importance of providing adequate food as part of the right to an adequate standard of living. He also addressed the Arab Charter on Human Rights, explaining the role of these conventions in promoting food security and ensuring individuals' access to healthy food. He stressed that achieving this right requires effective national policies and international cooperation to ensure food security and sustainable development.
In the second working paper, Eng Abdulaziz bin Mohammed al Shakil, Director of the Investment Department at the Directorate-General of Agricultural and Fisheries Marketing at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, discussed food security in the Sultanate of Oman, the concept of food security and the link between Oman Vision 2040 and the ministry's strategies, the components of the food production sector, and performance indicators for the agricultural and fisheries sector. He also addressed the challenges facing the food security system, proposed solutions, the food security investment programme, future outlook and the investment portfolio of the Oman Food Investment Company.
He stated that the Sultanate of Oman ranked third among 113 countries according to the 2022 Global Food Security Index, ranking third in the Arab world and 35th globally.
For his part, Mohammed bin Ali al Musafir, CEO of Al Rahma Association, spoke in the third working paper about Al Rahma Association's efforts to provide basic needs for individuals and families, empower individuals and families to be productive and active members of society, strive to achieve financial sustainability, implement governance and the best policies and procedures, and the association's efforts in cooperation with the Oman Charitable Organisation for Gaza Relief. He also highlighted the association's role in social care, family and psychological counselling and research and studies.
Arab Human Rights Day is an occasion aimed at raising awareness of human rights in Arab countries and highlighting efforts to consolidate the principles of justice and equality. This day was specifically chosen to coincide with the date of the entry into force of the Arab Charter on Human Rights on March 16, 2008. This charter was adopted by the League of Arab States as a regional framework that promotes human rights in accordance with the cultural and social specificities of Arab countries while adhering to international principles in this field.
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