Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  The international forum titled "Food Security Goals and Sustainable Development for Landlocked Developing Countries" takes place in Tashkent on 5-6 September 2024.

The forum was attended by Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov, Minister of Agriculture Ibrahim Abdurakhmanov, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Qu Dongyu, senior representatives from 32 landlocked developing countries, as well as representatives from international financial organizations, academia, and foreign states. The event also saw the participation of experts, private sector representatives, and media.

The main goal of the forum was to address issues related to agricultural trade, food security, climate change adaptation, and logistics in landlocked developing countries. The forum aimed to find positive solutions for the 32 such countries facing these challenges.

During the opening ceremony, speeches were delivered by Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, UN High Representative for Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries Rabab Fatima, European Union Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski, and President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Álvaro Lario. FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero presented the keynote report on "Sustainable Development Goals for Landlocked Developing Countries."

The forum featured a high-level plenary session focusing on the importance and prospects of developing agriculture and food systems in these countries.

In the afternoon, thematic sessions addressed various topics including: "Facilitating Agricultural Trade through WTO Accession for Landlocked Developing Countries," "Investment Opportunities in Agriculture," "The Role of the Private Sector in Agricultural Markets," "Food Security and Nutrition," "Technological Innovations," and "Effective Government Policy for Transforming Agro-Food Systems in Developing Countries." Additional sessions covered the initiative "One Country - One Priority Product" (OCOP), aimed at transforming agricultural and food systems for sustainable development, as well as discussions on sustainable management, innovations, and locust control in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Furthermore, the FAO and the Government of Uzbekistan issued a declaration on sustainable reform of the agro-industrial system in landlocked developing countries.

A key focus of the forum was the need for stable maritime trade, the creation of a unified international logistics network, and improved trade relations with remote regions. Special attention was given to investment projects aimed at developing this network, as it is crucial for economic growth. The forum was designed to advance these strategic interests.

An investment forum in agriculture and food for landlocked developing countries was also organized as part of the event, featuring a presentation on Uzbekistan’s investment and export potential in these sectors.

As a result of the B2B sessions held during the forum, several mutually beneficial agreements were signed. Participants also visited major agricultural enterprises and wholesale markets in Tashkent and its surrounding areas.

The forum aimed at developing transport routes connecting Uzbekistan with other regions of the world, raising awareness about the current state of food security and agro-food systems in the country, and addressing key regional and global issues impeding progress in these areas. New agreements on food trade and investment projects were achieved as a result of the forum.

Ongoing and consistent execution of such large-scale projects, development of long-term programs targeting prospective contracts with neighboring and distant countries, and implementation of new investment agreements in the agricultural sector will further contribute to the sector’s development.