About the partnership
Türkiye is one of FAO’s most important partners, working to implement programmes across Europe and Central Asia. Today, Türkiye and FAO are engaged in close cooperation to achieve the shared goal of eradicating poverty and hunger.
The partnership between FAO and Türkiye has thrived since the creation of the FAO Country Office in 1982; this was followed by the signing of a Host Country Agreement in 2006 and the establishment of the Subregional Office for Central Asia in Ankara in 2007.
The operational support of the Government of Türkiye enhances FAO’s ability to respond to national needs as well as the regional priorities of countries in the subregion – Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
FAO and Türkiye's cooperation continues to prosper through two Partnership Programmes dedicated to food security and sustainable management of natural resources – the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programme on Food and Agriculture (FTPP) and the FAO-Türkiye Forestry Programme (FTFP), both of which are supported by trust fund contributions of the Government of Türkiye, which total to date USD 30 million.
The two programmes contribute significantly to strengthening the agricultural and forestry capacities of the countries of Central Asia and Caucasus as well as those of other countries, such as in Africa and the Balkans, not only through the provision of funding but also through shared experience and expertise.
The partnership between Türkiye and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has grown into a robust collaboration over several decades, contributing significantly to sustainable development and food security in Türkiye and across Central Asia and beyond.
This strategic partnership began with the establishment of the FAO Country Office in Türkiye in 1982, followed by the signing of a Host Country Agreement in 2006. A year later, the Subregional Office for Central Asia was opened in Ankara, positioning Türkiye as a key regional hub for FAO’s work.
Türkiye is one of FAO’s most important partners. Its commitment to multilateral cooperation and regional solidarity is exemplified through two key initiatives:
- The FAO–Türkiye Partnership Programme on Food and Agriculture (FTPP)
- The FAO–Türkiye Forestry Partnership Programme (FTFP)
Both programmes are generously supported by the Government of Türkiye, with a combined trust fund contribution of USD 30 million to date.
FAO–Türkiye Partnership Programme on Food and Agriculture (FTPP)
The FTPP aims to support food security, rural development, and the sustainable use of natural resources in countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It also extends its reach to parts of Africa and the Balkans, enhancing South–South cooperation.
Since its inception, the programme has focused on strengthening national capacities in agriculture by introducing sustainable practices, improving policy frameworks, and fostering knowledge exchange.
The first phase (2009–2015) of the programme, supported with USD 10 million, funded 28 projects across 16 countries, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Additional beneficiaries included countries like Georgia, Romania, Ukraine, and Syria.
Key achievements of Phase I include:
- Promoting modern agricultural techniques such as Conservation Agriculture and Integrated Pest Management.
- Enhancing food safety standards and responsible fisheries management.
- Developing national strategies in seed systems, food risk management, and pest control.
- Establishing flagship initiatives such as CACFish and FishDev-CAP.
- Strengthening research institutions and enabling the sharing of Turkish agricultural expertise through training and study tours.
The second phase (2014–ongoing) is supported by an additional USD 10 million, with a broader focus on:
- Food security and nutrition
- Rural development
Areas covered by the agreement include sustainable forest management, plantations and rehabilitation, forest products and ecosystem services, forests and the environment, people and forests, governance, assessments and monitoring, combating desertification and interdisciplinary issues.
Serhat Burak Güresinli
Liaison Officer for FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programmes (FTPP)