Halal standards, often associated with religious observance, are increasingly recognised for their broader role in sustainability and food safety. These standards are essential in maintaining the integrity and quality of the global food supply.
At the 29th edition of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), a partner for the COP29 Standards Pavilion, hosted a session titled ‘Elevating Global Food Safety and Security through OIC/SMIIC Standards.’
HALAL AND SUSTAINABILITY
The principles of halal practices are closely aligned with global sustainability and food security objectives.
One of the biggest challenges in food security is supply chain inefficiency. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), a substantial portion of edible raw materials, enough to feed a billion people, is lost due to poor handling, processing, and storage.
These inefficiencies represent missed opportunities to optimise operations and reduce waste, highlighting a critical gap in sustainability efforts.
SMIIC, an intergovernmental standardisation organisation with 48 member states across Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America, develops halal standards that ensure compliance with Islamic principles and drive sustainable practices.
These standards emphasise ethical treatment of animals, efficient use of resources, and a circular green economy. They not only uphold food safety and quality but also enhance the sustainability of the food industry.
SMIIC Secretary General Ihsan Övut underlined the critical connection between food safety and food security: “When food safety is compromised, there are significant risks of contamination and foodborne diseases, which directly impact public health, reduce consumer confidence, and can lead to significant economic losses.”
He also asserted that food security is not just about availability; it must be safe and nutritionally sufficient.
To date, SMIIC has published nearly 60 standards, 20 of which are related to halal. Key standards include:
• OIC/SMIIC 1 (General Requirements for Halal Food)
• OIC/SMIIC 17 (Halal Supply Chain Management)
• OIC/SMIIC 18 (Halal Quality Management System)
While adhering to Islamic principles, these standards draw upon internationally recognised frameworks like Codex Alimentarius and the ISO 22000 series.
“A strong halal food supply chain, complemented by a unified OIC/SMIIC standard, is an important approach to |achieving sustainable food security,” added Övut.
AZERBAIJAN’S NATIONAL INITIATIVES
Azerbaijan is actively addressing food security challenges, especially those posed by climate change, through a strategy focused on sustainable development.
• Sustainable Agriculture: Implementing practices like precision agriculture to optimise resource use and minimise environmental impact.
• Technology & Innovation: Adopting agricultural technologies (smart farming, data analytics, automated systems) that are compliant with ESG standards to enhance climate resilience.
• Rural Infrastructure & Farmer Support: Strengthening rural infrastructure and providing farmers with access to modern tools to promote sustainable production and fair trade.
• Efficient Supply Chains: Developing robust storage and transportation systems to minimise food loss and improve food safety and sustainability.
• Climate-Resistant Crops and Water Efficiency: Investing in research on drought and heat-resistant crops and implementing modern irrigation systems to ensure food supply in extreme conditions.
By aligning halal standards with international trade regulation, Azerbaijan not only enhances market access but also ensures that its agricultural products meet globally recognised ethical and quality benchmarks.
“OIC/SMIIC standards are pivotal; they have a vital role in ensuring food safety, harmonising agricultural practices, and promoting trade across the OIC region,” said AZSTAND Director General Ilham Bayramov.
Furthermore, Azerbaijan is also actively engaged with the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS). This collaboration is vital, as IOFS focuses on promoting food security and sustainable agricultural practices throughout the OIC region.
REGIONAL COOPERATION
IOFS Programme Manager Dr Abdelaziz Hajjaji emphasised regional cooperation within the OIC to address climate change impacts and food security challenges.
A key aspect of regional cooperation is the exchange of expertise across various OIC institutions. Organisations specialising in food security, agricultural research, and halal standards contribute unique insights that, when shared, enhance best practices across the region.
“OIC standards ensure food safety, align agricultural practices and create export opportunities,” he noted.
Hajjaji’s recent observations in West Africa (Benin, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire) have highlighted the need for these standards, particularly regarding chemical use impacting export potential.
“During my visit to Nigeria and other parts of Africa over the past two weeks, I observed a strong desire among local producers to export their products. However, the use of certain chemicals has become a barrier to accessing international markets. This is where the role of OIC standards becomes essential,” added Hajjaji.
Recognising that agricultural challenges vary across OIC regions, Hajjaji underlined the need to harmonise policies: “This is essential in addressing climate change and food insecurity across our diverse regions. North Africa, the Sahel, and Central Asia each face unique challenges, requiring tailored best practices to tackle climate-related issues effectively.”
Apart from standardisation efforts led by SMIIC, IOFS has forged partnerships with other key OIC organisations, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO), Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA).
Ensuring agricultural resilience also requires substantial financial support. “Collaboration with banks and other financial bodies is essential to support agricultural projects. This helps member states secure international funding and pool resources for large-scale agriculture and food security projects.”
Regional cooperation also plays a critical role in managing transboundary threats such as disease outbreaks, pest infestations, and foodborne hazards.
