MESSAGE OF H.E. MR HISSEIN BRAHIM TAHA, SECRETARY GENERAL
ORGANISATION OF ISLAMIC COOPERATION
Your Excellency Mr. Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (KOBIA), Your Excellency Zehra Zumrut Selcuk, Director General of the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), Your Excellency Ihsan Ovut, Secretary General of Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), Your Excellences, Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Assalamu Alaykum wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakatuhu
We are gathered here today to officially open the Azerbaijan Halal Business and Tourism Forum (AZHAB) which is taking place in this dynamic city, Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan. On the outset, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and specifically to the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (KOBIA), the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), and the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) for the organization and excellent arrangements made to ensure the success of this Forum.
I am honored, to welcome all participants to this AZHAB Forum, representatives from around the globe, Public and Private Sector players in the Member States of the OIC and all invited guests.
In a world that is constantly evolving, where global markets are interconnected and cultures converge, the importance of halal practices becomes even more significant. The Halal industry is not merely about food, it extends to all aspects of life, from finance to tourism, cosmetics to pharmaceuticals, and other aspects of human needs. It is a comprehensive approach to living in accordance with the Islamic principles whose basic aim is the wellbeing of all humanity.
The interest in Halal products and services has grown tremendously in recent years across the globe. The halal markets recorded a total value of USD 4.7 trillion in 2020, and the size is estimated to grow to USD 6.0 trillion in 2024. According to the SESRIC, the halal industry has registered an impressive growth of 47% during the period of 6 years from USD 3.2 trillion in 2014 to USD 4.7 trillion in 2020. The figure is a solid proof to reflect this enormous, fast-growing industry, which requires recognition by the OIC Member States. Hence we are here gathering at this prestige event, to support and expand the growth of this industry. We believe the Halal industry should be a niche sector for the OIC Member States.
Simultaneously, the growing interest in Halal industry brings significant advantages to the Member States in leveraging and leading this industry. Effective strategies and collective coordination are crucial for optimizing the Halal supply chain and adapting to shifts in consumer behavior within this dynamic sector. The industry and the supply chain therein, must adjust, adopt and adapt proactively if it is to remain significant and competitive.
One of the important agenda items of our today’s Forum is halal-green, which is the new concept, initiated by the organizers. It is well known that Allah gave us everything to use and to protect properly for future generations. In this context, the halal-green concept aims at creating a proper link and mix between the humans and their environment. It also makes efforts to recognize the rights of nature which was created by Allah Almighty is a very well balance manner. Halal- green is also one of the prime solutions, incorporating green practices and environment-friendly principles into halal supply chain, as part of the initiative towards achieving sustainable food systems amidst the never ending global crises. Hence, halal-green provides solutions to multiple global challenges, by eliminating waste as a key to sustainable transformation of the food systems, as well as bestowing long-term support in forming a resilient global food system. The halal-green concept is also encouraging us to produce high quality goods, to reduce pollution and waste, to develop green economies, popularize Halal standards, etc, in order to protect both the human beings and the environment for sustainable development.
In this context, the role of our OIC relevant institutions and other stakeholders in strengthening closer collaboration within the Member States, and upholding the set standards in the Halal industry cannot be overemphasized. As we navigate the cocktail of challenges of the modern world, we must also strive to ensure that our economic activities are not only halal but also ethical and sustainable, as we endeavor to share our prosperity equitably.
I sincerely hope that this Forum will be a great start for the business community to explore new avenues for investment and trade, and will allow them to explore potential investment areas in the halal sector as they discuss the considerable emerging economic advancements and opportunities in our Muslim world. The role of the private sector is extremely vital in strategizing business
opportunities and stimulating economic growth to not only ensure our ultimate objective of meeting the 25% intra-OIC trade target by 2025, but also expand the horizons of development opportunities that the Halal industry brings to bear. Equally important, is the need for our Governments to enact enabling policies and laws needed to enhance the development of the Halal sector in our countries.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Participants,
I pray that this event will continue providing opportunities and extensive development horizons in the Halal industry, strengthening our commitment to halal living to become the most influential sector in the economic growth strategies of our countries.
We pray to Allah to bless this Forum and enable it to achieve its intended objectives for the overall benefit of the Muslim Ummah and humanity at large.
Wasallamu Aleykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.
AZ
EN
RU
