Acknowledging the negative impacts of climate change on agriculture and food production, ministers from the five Central Asian countries discuss today potential solutions for addressing regional and global food and climate change challenges. The meeting was fostered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Global and regional events in recent years have attracted more attention to the importance of ensuring food security and access to healthy and nutritious food. According to the recent Global Report on Food Crises, climate change and weather extremes are among the leading causes of hunger, second only to conflicts.

Today’s meeting, hosted by Turkmenistan, aims to provide a platform for the ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – whose countries are strongly affected by drought, desertification, salinization and other issues – to share views and knowledge on better adapting agriculture to climate change.

“Central Asian countries reside over precious yet fragile natural resources reserves, which are under pressure by climate change – a phenomenon that knows no borders,” said Vladimir Rakhmanin, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia. “To boost agriculture in an effective and sustainable manner, events like today’s are important, as they provide a forum to find common and proven solutions.”