President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a video message to the 9th World Halal Summit and the 10th Islamic Cooperation Organization (OIC) Halal Expo Fair 2023.
In his message, Erdoğan laid out the following remarks:
"I wish the 9th World Halal Summit and the OIC Halal Fair to be auspicious for our countries and the Islamic world. I believe that the discussions during the summit will open new horizons for the increasingly strengthened companies, institutions, and consumers in the halal sector. The business forums to be held during the halal summit will also lead to the establishment of new partnerships among our companies. Recognized as the largest halal organization on the global stage, the summit and fair will also provide a platform for our country's companies to take a larger share in the halal sector.
Due to the tension between Russia and Ukraine and the pandemic, the importance of ensuring food security is now better understood. I believe that every step taken in this direction, especially with the Halal Summit hosting around 40,000 guests, including 10,000 foreigners, will strengthen the food security of Islamic countries. Furthermore, the demand for halal-certified products and services is increasing due to the cleanliness and healthiness of these products, as well as their preference by Muslims. Today, the global halal market has exceeded $5 trillion, covering sectors such as food, tourism, cosmetics, and finance. This figure continues to rise every day in line with emerging needs and expectations.
Both ensuring access for consumers to halal-certified products and services and facilitating the international circulation of halal products and services are crucial. The activities of the Islamic Countries Standards and Metrology Institute, which became operational in 2010, are vital in this regard. Once again, I invite all member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to become members of the institute, thus eliminating disputes, conflicts, and distrust in halal certification.
We have demonstrated our commitment to this issue with the Halal Accreditation Institution, which we have established in our country. By continuously supporting our institution and its activities, we will ensure that the halal sector in our country reaches the position it deserves."
