Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan Ibrohim Abdurakhmanov is visiting Italy to participate in the meeting of the International Vine and Wine Organization (IVO), which is taking place in Brescia (Italy).

During the visit, he met with the Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) QU Dongyu

The parties discussed current cooperation and plans for 2024, including the implementation of reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan and the implementation of the strategy defined by the leadership of our state. This strategy aims to ensure the coherence of reforms and coordinate the participation of international institutions, including FAO, in these new initiatives in our country, as well as the development of comprehensive partnerships.

Uzbekistan is currently implementing 18 national and 15 regional projects together with FAO that promote the development of the agricultural sector.

One of the current topics was the promotion of new financial instruments in agriculture, such as lending, leasing, insurance and subsidies.

The parties also agreed to continue working together to attract grant resources from global climate initiatives. In particular, the possible launch of new technical and grant assistance projects with the participation of the Adaptation Fund, the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility was considered.

Uzbekistan is actively promoting its initiatives in the international arena, which helps improve relations with partners and create a favorable investment environment. The country is known as a platform for discussing international issues in various formats, which is highly appreciated by foreign partners.

Based on this, FAO has expressed interest in organizing regional and cooperation forums next year.

Ibrohim Abdurakhmanov noted that administrative reform and modernization of agriculture are currently being carried out in Uzbekistan. In this regard, our country is interested in the successful experience of Turkey and Japan in changing the food system and management methods, as well as in the experience of EU countries.

Currently, the package of projects implemented in cooperation with FAO includes 69 national and regional projects with a total value of US$72 million.

These projects work in the areas of sustainable land management, combating desertification and soil degradation, food security, value chain development, industry capacity building, standardization and gender equality.

Uzbekistan joined FAO on 2 October 2001. Since 2014, an FAO office has been operating in Uzbekistan.