Bilateral meeting with H.E. Ziyozoda Sulaimon Rizoi, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan

Rome - FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, met with H.E. Ziyozoda Sulaimon Rizoi, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, on the sidelines of the World Food Forum 2025 and FAO’s 80th Anniversary celebrations at FAO headquarters. The meeting was also attended by H.E. Qurbon Hakimzoda, Minister for Agriculture; Her Excellency Nigina Anvari, Deputy Minister for Agriculture; and Mr Fayzullozoda Muhammadsaid Ubaydullo, Chair of the Committee for Food Security.

The Deputy Prime Minister informed the Director-General that Tajikistan will host the FAO Regional Conference for Europe in May 2026, reaffirming the country’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and regional dialogue on food and agriculture. He also highlighted Tajikistan’s participation in the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum for the first time, presenting investment cases on apricot, potato seeds, and pasture development.

The Director-General welcomed Tajikistan’s leadership in promoting sustainable agricultural development and commended the Government for the adoption of the new Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2025-2026, which aligns with national reform priorities. He also acknowledged the country’s engagement in FAO flagship initiatives, including One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) focusing on apricots, the Digital Villages Initiative, and the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) site in the Almosi Valley.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation on climate resilience, seed sector development, and sustainable water and land management, and agreed to continue working together to strengthen Tajikistan’s contribution to regional food security and agricultural innovation.