Durable solutions for food security and climate change are focus of International Conference in Ashgabat

The High-level Conference brought together the high-level speakers from the Government, United Nations and the participating countries of Central Asia, Türkiye and Iran, as well as experts from international organizations and financial institutions, such as the World Bank, USAID, GIZ and others. 

During the first day of the Conference, the ministerial meeting was held, at which the Ministers of agriculture of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and the invited guest speakers such as the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Iran, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, as well as representatives of international organizations and multilateral development banks exchanged views on climate change impact on agriculture and food security in conditions of water scarcity and the role of regional cooperation.

“Sustainable agricultural practices to ensure food security, especially in the context of climate change is a priority for our country and Turkmenistan pays close attention to these issues,” said Mr. Allanur Altyyev, Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan.

“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”, said Vladimir Rakhmanin FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia. 

On the second day of the International Conference, the plenary session opened with the statements by Mr. Annageldi Yazmuradov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Mr. Vladimir Rakhmanin, FAO Assistant Director-General, Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, Mr. Ali Salajegheh, Vice President and Head of the Department of Environment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ms. Susan Gardner, UNEP Director of Ecosystem Division, Mr. Dominique Favre, Executive Director, World Bank, and Mr. Dmitry Shlapachenko, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan. The statements were followed by the two thematic panel sessions, which provided a space for the speakers to present their vision on food and nutrition security in the context of climate change. In particular, the participants discussed adaptation and mitigation measures, shared views on the possibilities to increase financing for targeted projects and programs in this area and to strengthen international cooperation to help countries of the region to develop and implement their sustainable food systems. Based on available international experiences, the participants also discussed real solutions to address regional and global food challenges, including the establishment of the Regional Center for Climate Mitigation Technologies in Central Asia.

“UN Turkmenistan will continue to support the Government of Turkmenistan in holding activities aimed at stimulating regional and international partnerships in the food sector.” - noted Dmitry Shlapachenko, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan.

As part of the High-level Conference several documents were signed between the Government of Turkmenistan and United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.  

In conclusion, the participants agreed that such discussions give a decisive impetus for even more intense and fruitful cooperation in achieving common objectives in the area of food and security in the context of climate change.  

For more information, please contact:

Chary Nurmuhammedov

Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader

chary.nurmuhammedov@un.org