Ministry of Agriculture: Slaimiya raises the challenges and needs of the Palestinian agricultural sector and its reconstruction in Gaza during the Food Loss Forum in Istanbul.

Istanbul: June 8, 2026

• Palestine places the challenges of food loss under the international community's microscope.
• A call to support the reconstruction of the agricultural sector in Gaza and the development of agricultural infrastructure.
• Palestinian-Turkish-Spanish talks to enhance agricultural cooperation and activate joint agreements.

Minister of Agriculture, Professor Riziq Slaimiya, participated in the Food Loss Forum hosted by Istanbul, Turkey, from June 5 to 7. The forum brought together ministers, experts, and representatives of international organizations from more than 42 countries to discuss global challenges related to food security, agricultural sustainability, and reducing food loss.

During his address at the high-level ministerial session, Slaimiya emphasized that reducing food and water waste is closely linked to a nation's ability to achieve food security and sovereignty over its resources. He noted that the Palestinian experience differs from others due to the exceptional circumstances facing the agricultural sector as a result of the occupation and ongoing aggression. He explained that Gaza Strip is facing a widespread collapse in its food production system following the destruction of agricultural lands, irrigation networks, water wells, agricultural facilities, and infrastructure related to production and marketing. This has exacerbated food and water insecurity. He emphasized that reducing food loss begins with rebuilding the foundations of agricultural production and enabling farmers to access their lands, water sources, and markets.

He also reviewed the challenges facing farmers in the West Bank as a result of settler attacks, movement restrictions, and military checkpoints that impede the delivery of agricultural products to markets, thus increasing losses of perishable agricultural products.

Slaimiya pointed to the efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with international organizations and institutions to develop agricultural value chains. This includes establishing modern packing stations, developing refrigeration and food processing facilities, and investing in the date sector in Jericho and the Jordan Valley, which contributes to reducing agricultural losses and enhancing the competitiveness of Palestinian products.

On the sidelines of the forum, Minister Slaimiya held a series of bilateral meetings with several participating delegations, most notably with the Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ibrahim Yumakli. The two sides discussed the current state of the Palestinian agricultural sector and ways to strengthen cooperation. Salimieh called for support for Palestinian agricultural projects submitted to the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and for the activation of the agricultural memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries, particularly regarding the reconstruction of the agricultural sector in Gaza.

For his part, the Turkish minister affirmed his country's continued support for the Palestinian people and expressed interest in contributing to agricultural interventions and reconstruction projects in the Gaza Strip.

Slaimiya also met with the Spanish delegation participating in the forum, where both sides emphasized the importance of expanding technical and scientific cooperation, exchanging agricultural expertise, and activating the agricultural memorandum of understanding between the two countries. This, they argued, would enhance sustainable agricultural development and strengthen the Palestinian agricultural sector's ability to meet various challenges. Engineer Amjad Al-Mughair, Assistant Undersecretary for the Technical Sector, accompanied the minister on this visit.