Uzbekistan Joins Global Initiative on Food Systems and Climate Action

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, held a national seminar in Tashkent as part of the Convergence Initiative, aimed at aligning the transformation of food systems with climate policy.

The event brought together representatives from government agencies, international organizations, and development partners to strengthen intersectoral coordination and develop comprehensive approaches to food security and climate change challenges.

With this seminar, Uzbekistan joined more than 20 countries participating in the Convergence Initiative, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The initiative seeks to develop coordinated solutions across food, climate, and natural resource management sectors.

Sabine Mahl emphasized that current challenges require a shift from fragmented sectoral approaches to integrated solutions that combine agriculture, ecology, health, and economic development.

Uzbekistan has demonstrated strong political commitment to this direction, implementing key strategic documents such as the National Food Security Strategy and the program for climate adaptation in agriculture. These initiatives aim to enhance agricultural resilience, optimize water and land use, and develop early warning and risk management systems.

Nuriddin Kushnazarov noted that ongoing reforms provide a solid foundation for sustainable sector development, while further strengthening institutional coordination and data integration across sectors remain priority tasks.

Discussions focused on climate-resilient agriculture, efficient water use, building sustainable value chains, and improving monitoring systems.

Sherzod Umarov highlighted that aligning food systems with climate measures is essential for long-term sustainability, requiring coordinated policy, investments, and practical implementation.

Over two days, participants identified priority areas for convergence and contributed to the development of an Action Plan, which will serve as the basis for further policy improvement, investment mechanisms, and interagency cooperation.

The seminar marked an important step toward establishing a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-adapted food system in Uzbekistan, while strengthening the country’s engagement in international processes in this field.