Bilateral meeting with H.E. Ibrohim Abdurahmonov, Minister for Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan
©FAO/Aziz Sattori
Dushanbe - FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, met with H.E. Ibrohim Abdurahmonov, Minister for Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on the margins of the 35th FAO Regional Conference for Europe and Central Asia to discuss ongoing cooperation and opportunities to further strengthen the strategic partnership between FAO and Uzbekistan.
The Minister informed the Director-General about preparations for the Second International Forum on Food Security for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and celebration of the World Cotton Day, to be hosted by Uzbekistan in Tashkent in October 2026. Both sides emphasized the importance of promoting practical solutions for climate-resilient agrifood systems, food security, trade connectivity and nutrition in landlocked developing countries.
The Minister highlighted Uzbekistan’s ambition to strengthen its role as a regional food and logistics hub and stressed the importance of advancing cooperation on digital agriculture, climate adaptation and sustainable water management, particularly in the context of the Aral Sea basin challenges. The Director-General welcomed Uzbekistan’s growing leadership within regional and international platforms and reaffirmed FAO’s support for the country’s efforts to modernize its agriculture sector and strengthen food safety systems.
Both sides reviewed progress under FAO flagship initiatives in Uzbekistan, including the Digital Villages Initiative, the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative on sweet cherry, preparations for the nomination of Margilan as Uzbekistan’s first GIAHS site, and the country’s engagement with the Hand-in-Hand Initiative. The Director-General also welcomed the operationalization of the new Country Programming Framework 2026–2030, focused on modernization, digitalization and innovation-based agriculture, and reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to supporting Uzbekistan’s transition toward sustainable, resilient and high-value agrifood systems.