Tashkent Hosts Food Security Forum

Tashkent, 9 September 2024 (TDI): International event titled “Food Security and Sustainable Development Goals for Landlocked Developing Countries,” organized in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The forum brought together representatives from government agencies, the private sector, international organizations, and agricultural experts from 32 countries.

Notable participants included Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, the country’s Minister of Agriculture Ibrokhim Abdurakhmanov, and the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Qu Dongyu.

Azerbaijan was represented by Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Elchin Zeynalov.

The event aimed to address key challenges related to sustainable agriculture in landlocked developing countries, focusing on food security, agricultural trade, climate change adaptation, and enhancing logistics capabilities.

During the opening ceremony, speakers including Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski, and President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development Alvaro Larios discussed the impacts of climate change on agriculture, strategies for ensuring food security, and the evolving landscape of agri-food systems.

Azerbaijan’s Status as Rapidly Growing Economy

In his address, Deputy Minister Elchin Zeynalov underscored Azerbaijan’s status as a rapidly growing economy in the region.

He emphasized the importance of economic diversification and the advancement of national agri-food systems.

Zeynalov highlighted Azerbaijan’s proactive engagement with global initiatives and its ongoing collaboration with international partners.

He stressed the critical role of digital and innovative practices in the agricultural sector, noting that digital technologies are key to efficient resource utilization and mitigating climate change risks.

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“Azerbaijan is undergoing a significant transformation toward modern and digital agriculture. By integrating digital technologies, we aim to enhance rural development and link these areas to the broader value chain,” Zeynalov stated.

He also pointed out Azerbaijan’s strategic position as a major transit and logistics hub in the Eurasian region, serving as a trade bridge between the ‘East-West’ and ‘North-South’ transport corridors, which he noted could greatly boost trade relations.