As part of his official visit to Italy, President Emomali Rahmon met in Rome with Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Tajik president’s official website reported on April 25.
The parties reportedly discussed issues related to cooperation between Tajikistan and this UN institution in the field of agricultural development.
Tajik leader expressed satisfaction with the fruitful cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization.
Confidence was reportedly voiced that with the intensification of the efforts of the parties in the future, the development of cooperation would contribute to an even more successful implementation of agricultural reform in Tajikistan, the realization of one of the strategic goals – ensuring food security and the Sustainable Development Goals in general.
It was emphasized that improving the efficiency of agriculture and strengthening the sustainable development of this sector is an important factor in improving the well-being of rural residents.
The parties expressed their readiness to continue cooperation to improve the use of arable lands, prevent their degradation and put new lands into operation.
As part of promoting the development policy of the “green” economy of Tajikistan, it was recognized as necessary to import technologies for growing seedlings to restore and protect forests and bushes from erosion and land washout.
Meanwhile, press release issued by FAO on April 23 says President Rahmon stated that Tajikistan was committed to move to a green economy by 2037 and to reach 100 percent fully organic agricultural production, adding that currently the country was ranked sixth in the world regarding green energy with hydro power being the main source of energy.
Rahmon also emphasized the importance of water management for Tajikistan and referred to the challenge of water scarcity, noting that 60 percent of water resources in Central Asia originate in Tajikistan where 1 000 glaciers have melted over the past 40 years.
Emomali Rahmon also noted that Tajikistan was taking part in FAO’s One Country One Priority Product Initiative promoting the apricot value chain and presented the Director-General with a local apricot tree to be planted in the FAO Park at Villa Pamphilij in Rome.
FAO Director-General reportedly thanked the President for Tajikistan’s continued cooperation and noted that Tajikistan was the first country in the region to join the FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative.
Finally, the pair committed to continue working together towards the transformation of agrifood systems to make them more resilient to pressing global challenges related to the impacts of the climate crisis.
The meeting was also attended by Qurbon Hakimzoda, Minister of Agriculture; Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sherali Kabir, Minister of Industry and New Technologies; Daler Juma, Minister of Energy and Water Resources; and Matlubakhon Sattoriyon, Minister of Culture.
Cooperation between Tajikistan and FAO has been ongoing since the country joined the Organization in 1995. FAO assistance was initially provided in the form of short-term emergency interventions in response to a locust outbreak as well as support for the country’s transition to stability after a period of civil war. More recently, cooperation has focused on rehabilitation and development interventions to build a sustainable and competitive agriculture sector, including improved food security and nutrition, and resilience to climate change.
