An international conference of paramount significance to convene in Uzbekistan, bringing together over 2,000 experts from more than 30 nations, on September 7-8. This historic gathering, facilitated for the first time in Uzbekistan, has received invaluable technical support from the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The conference has drawn participation from 2,330 foreign experts representing 32 countries, comprising 623 foreign guests, over 150 foreign scientists, 148 officials, 130 representatives of international organizations (including 61 FAO staff), and delegates from 46 institutions of higher education.
The FAO has identified five pivotal areas where its expertise, skills, and experience can be instrumental to reach the sustainable future it aims:
Combatting Hunger and Malnutrition
- Setting International Food Safety Standards
Enhancing Agricultural, Forestry, and Fisheries Productivity and Sustainability
Alleviating Rural Poverty
Ensuring Inclusive and Efficient Agri-food Systems
Strengthening Resilience in the Face of Natural Disasters
As per the FAO, a staggering 2.3bn individuals worldwide currently endure moderate to acute food insecurity, with 25% of them, amounting to 556mn, residing in Asia.
Geopolitical upheavals in recent years have cast substantial shadows over global food security. The conflict in Ukraine, for instance, has spawned various problems and food insecurity in many regions across the world, which was pinpointed by Moldova's State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, Yury Skripnik, who also added that the international community needs to find a way to export the grain remaining in the country.
Though not uniquely beset by all global threats, Uzbekistan faces challenges such as land salinization, dwindling water resources for irrigation, desertification, and drought. Aziz Voitov, Uzbekistan's Minister of Agriculture, discussed these issues during a media briefing.
This forthcoming conference is poised to further enhance collaboration between the FAO and Uzbekistan. It is expected to furnish an auspicious platform for crafting solutions to the challenges confronting agro-industrial systems worldwide.
Viorel Gutu, FAO's Subregional Coordinator for Central Asia, underscored the significance of this international event, remarking that it offers an opportunity to evaluate the progress made towards achieving the Second Sustainable Development Goal - Zero Hunger.
The goal of "Zero Hunger" encompasses concrete objectives for advancing food security and nutrition, as well as measures to foster sustainable agriculture by 2030.
Complementing the conference, the "Agro-food Potential of Uzbekistan" exhibition and the inaugural Agro-food Investment Forum of Uzbekistan will be conducted. Over 50 companies from various countries, including Germany, Italy, Israel, Hungary, South Korea, Poland, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan, will participate in this forum.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)