Doha Forum: redefines Sudan and supports the transition – The face of truth – ✍️ Ibrahim Shaqlawi
On October 4-5, 2025, the Doha Institute of Advanced Studies attended the launch of the activities of the Sudan Food Security Forum, under the slogan: “An effective partnership to achieve food security in light of crises”. The forum was held at a very sensitive time, politically and economically, as the Arab world faces a growing threat to its food security due to conflict, climate change and troubled supply chains.
But the most important political message conveyed by the forum was to redefine Sudan as part of the solution to the food crisis on the Arab scene, which was clearly expressed by the participation of the Sudanese Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Professor Ismat Qureshi, who came with a clear vision, practical positions and direct interaction, reflecting the desire of the Sudanese government to move from the stage of political and security discourse at the stages of marketing opportunities and practical solutions.
Sudan has 174 million arable acres, of which more than 106 million acres are so far unexploited, in addition to enormous water resources that can be restructured and better invested, especially in light of the changing water reality in East Africa following the construction of the Renaissance Dam.
While the dam is seen in some circles as a potential threat to Sudan and Egypt, if Sudan invests, uses and distributes water from the Blue Nile, it will be able to benefit from stable and regular irrigation periods, which will provide a more stable agricultural environment than it was in previous decades and allow strategic crops to be planned that will serve Sudan’s food security and Arabs.
This is what transformed the forum from a simple scientific symposium into a platform for sending political and regional messages, the most important of which is that Sudan, despite its political and economic crises, is still qualified to lead a collective Arab initiative for food security, provided there is organized Arab support, far from ambitions, courageous internal reforms and attractive policies.
The notable appearance of Sudan’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Ismat Qureshi, was key in conveying a clear political message: the Sudanese government views agriculture as an economic lifeline for Sudan and an effective tool to rebuild the national economy and achieve a strategic partnership with the Arab world, especially in light of the collapse of other productive sectors due to war and conflict.
The Al-Hawad Agricultural Project, which is one of the largest agricultural development projects currently proposed in Sudan, with an area of over five million acres and a geographical spread that includes states such as Nile, Khartoum, Gezira, Gedaref and Kassala. The project is not based solely on the idea of agricultural production, but rather on the construction of an integrated model including infrastructure, livestock production, manufacturing and services, within the framework of a flexible partnership between the State, the private sector and local communities.
This model, if it finds serious partners, such as the State of Qatar or Saudi Arabia, could constitute the core of a true agricultural renaissance. The Kingdom, for its part, has accumulated significant experience in foreign agricultural investment and today needs more stable and more productive markets.
Sudan remains geographically closest, richest in resources and best prepared, if the legal and institutional environment is created, to receive long-term investments from the Gulf. Such cooperation is measured not only by financial return, but also by the strategic weight that Sudanese agriculture can add to the Arab food security system.
What makes this vision applicable is the growing sense in regional circles that Sudan, if neglected, can turn into a vacuum that cannot be filled by humanitarian aid, even if it increases, and that strengthening its own capacities is the most effective and efficient route. This was confirmed by the Director of the Doha Institute of Studies, Abdul Wahab Al-Afandi, when he stressed that food security cannot be achieved by neglecting the role of farmers themselves, nor through confusing policies, but rather through radical reforms that ensure market efficiency, equitable distribution and professional planning.
The forum also stood out for merging the vision of academics and researchers with field experiences, as Sudanese businessman Wagdi Mirghani presented a scientific paper supported by maps and figures, which addressed the reality of agriculture in Sudan, including its concerns, opportunities and contradictions. What was presented was a frank description of the production deficit, low efficiency and lack of governance, and at the same time, a strategic vision of what Sudan could be by 2031, if modern productive projects based on technology and good governance were launched.
All of this has made the forum a platform that implicitly asks the big question: are we facing a truly transformative moment in the vision of Sudan? Will it remain on the margins of regional accounts, or are we witnessing a moment of maturity where we realize that Sudan is not a burden, but rather a strategic asset? The answer to this question comes not only from the promises of the conferences, but rather from the ability of the parties to transform these discussions into executive frameworks, from which companies are built, agreements are signed and the relationship between state and investor, between land and law, is redefined.
The Qatari presence has been remarkable, through the participation of institutions such as the Qatar Fund for Development, the Qatar Red Crescent and Qatar Charity, clearly indicating Qatar’s commitment to supporting Sudan, through strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening its productive capacities, particularly in the agricultural sector.
This national participation demonstrates a deep awareness that investing in agriculture has become a strategic necessity in light of the growing challenges the region faces in the areas of food and water. Dr. Ayhab Saad, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Administration and Politics, highlighted the great contradiction between Sudan’s enormous agricultural potential and low real productivity. The agricultural sector employs about 60% of the workforce, but it contributes no more than 30% of production, due to lack of accurate data and specialized studies, hampering effective planning and development of appropriate policies to advance this vital sector.
What the Doha Forum proposed, according to #TheFaceofTruth, was not just technical recommendations, but rather a clear political message: Sudan, despite its challenges, still has the capacity to provide solutions for Arab food security if its potential is properly invested. What we need now is to move from words to urgent work on the ground, because time does not wait. The forum represents a strategic compass that highlights the importance of Sudan’s role in this area and the real opportunity for agricultural partnership that must be invested before the food crisis and climate impacts worsen.
May you always be well.
