Uzbekistan Discusses Expanding Agro-Industrial Cooperation with UNIDO and FAO

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — During the 18th Conference of Agriculture Ministers in Berlin, a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan held a series of meetings with leaders of key United Nations organizations.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Alisher Shukurov held talks with Günther Beger, Managing Director of the UNIDO Directorate for Innovation and Economic Transformation on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as with Bet Behdol, Head of FAO’s Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, and FAO Regional Representative Viorel Gutu.

The discussions focused on Uzbekistan’s long-standing cooperation with UNIDO and FAO, including joint projects in the agro-industrial sector, food security, development of green industry, circular economy, renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as the creation and modernization of agro-industrial clusters.

Special attention was given to transforming industrial zones into resource-efficient and environmentally sustainable clusters. The parties highly appreciated Uzbekistan’s efforts in this area and emphasized the importance of further expanding collaboration.

Additionally, meetings with FAO addressed new joint initiatives in advanced processing of agricultural products, development of value chains, enhancing food system resilience, and implementing modern climate-adapted technologies.

As a result of the negotiations, the parties agreed to continue strategic cooperation with UNIDO and FAO aimed at modernizing Uzbekistan’s agricultural and industrial sectors, promoting sustainable development, and implementing international standards.