Mr. Elman NECEFZADE
As part of the Strategic Expert Exchange Program held from November 3–7, 2025, representatives from GIMDES (Association for the Inspection and Certification of Food and Supplies) made an official visit to Indonesia as part of the Turkish delegation.
During the program, the GIMDES delegation participated in various academic and institutional sessions on food safety and nutrition. In the first days of the visit, sessions were held at the University of Indonesia, while in the following days, they participated in meetings organized by Nahdlatul Ulama University (UNU) Yogyakarta.
During these sessions, GIMDES representatives emphasized the importance of halal and tayyib consumption in food security and the development of a healthy society. The presentations emphasized the need for all societies to consume halal and tayyib in accordance with Allah’s command. It was also specifically stated that if halal and tayyib requirements are fully met, safe production areas and a healthy consumption culture will emerge, beyond existing food safety management systems.
During the meetings, international educational activities carried out to raise awareness of halal and tayyib were also discussed. In this context, it was stated that the Dar al-Halal Madrasah was established through the joint efforts of GIMDES and the Dunya Halal Foundation, and that this institution conducts regular educational programs to instill halal and tayyib awareness in society.
Representatives of various Indonesian institutions and organizations present at the meetings expressed their views and questions on the subject in a roundtable format. The discussions were highly productive, and it was stated that the shared vision between the two countries in the areas of halal awareness, food safety, and education has been strengthened.
Professor Dr. Ahmad Syafiq, Dean of the Faculty of Community Health at the University of Indonesia, and one of the hosts of the visit, expressed his satisfaction with the potential collaboration between the Halal Research Center, which operates under the faculty’s umbrella, and GIMDES. Professor Syafiq emphasized the importance of maintaining communication and academic interaction in this regard.
Dr. Phil Mu’ammar Zayn Qadafy of UNU Yogyakarta University also expressed his great interest in this collaborative process and expressed his desire to participate in joint efforts to strengthen halal awareness.
As part of the visit, the GIMDES delegation also visited the BPJPH (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal) center. Dr. Fertiana Santy and officials from the Secretariat Office were present at the meeting. During the meeting, appreciation was expressed for the recently signed mutual recognition agreement. GIMDES and BPJPH were thanked for the ease with which Turkish companies can now export to Indonesia with GIMDES documents. Positive assessments were made regarding the further strengthening of mutual cooperation.
Dr. Santy also shared the impact of the Indonesian delegation’s visit to GIMDES and Halal Dunya Markets in Istanbul in September. He stated that this visit generated considerable interest, that the Halal Dunya Markets model was being carefully studied in Indonesia, and that discussions had begun with BPJPH President Dr. Haikal Hasan regarding the implementation of a similar project.
The GIMDES side stated that they were ready to provide all kinds of support for this initiative, emphasizing that the Halal Dunya Markets have the potential to become a significant hub for everyone who prefers halal and Tayyib products, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.
The visit concluded with an exchange of gifts and charitable wishes. The parties expressed their intention to pursue future collaborations in the areas of halal certification, food safety, education, and trade.
