Today, the capital city hosted the International conference «Health and Nutrition in a Changing Climate». Organization of the event attests to the fact that our country brings a weighty contribution to joining common efforts in the given sphere.
Heads of profile ministries of Turkmenistan, representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, UN Development program and other international institutions as well as delegates from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran and Russia participated in the conference.
Maintenance of ecological well-being in the country is one of the priority areas of the state policy initiated by Hero-Arkadag and consistently realised under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. In this connection, Turkmenistan carries out a large-scale work on the margins of the National strategy for climate change and National forest program. The special attention is given to issues of rational use of land and water resources, preservation of the environment, introduction of non-polluting and resource-saving technologies as well as increase of ecological culture of the population.
As known, under the conditions of changing climate, maintenance of food security is inseparably linked with solution of numerous tasks fixed with a view of sustainable development.
Climate changes make a direct impact on transformation of traditional methods and forms of conducting agriculture. It causes the necessity of adoption of immediate measures on the basis of complex approaches. Turkmenistan supports development of effective international cooperation in the given sphere and enriches it with its new concrete meaning. Realisation of a number of joint projects with the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations clearly attests to the fact.
Turkmenistan, which takes a strategic position in Central Asia, actively includes the climate change agenda in the national strategy of development. In this regard, it is remarkable that our country is one of the first countries in the region to have adopted the National strategy in the field of climate change, defined fundamentals of introduction of "green" technologies in the agro-industrial sectors. The given processes promote maintenance of ecological compatibility of foodstuff.
At the same time, Turkmenistan has gained a rich practice in the field of water resources management with construction of the Turkmen lake «Altyn asyr». The possibility of reuse of drainage waters for agricultural irrigation, development of virgin lands and animal industries development appeared.
Our country also attaches a special significance to promotion of regional cooperation in the field. The initiative of creation of the Regional centre of technologies connected with climate change in Central Asia displayed readiness of Turkmenistan for exchange of practical solutions and consolidation of efforts with a view of maintenance of general food security.
As was pointed out in speeches of the Turkmen side, agriculture as one of the major branches of national economy has a key significance in strengthening food abundance in the country. Introduction of the concept of "green" economy in the sector promotes maintenance of sustainable development and ecological well-being. In this sphere, our country carries out corresponding work. In particular, the potential of the land and water resources of Turkmenistan plays a huge role in maintenance of stable development of the branch. In this connection, am emphasis was made on the necessity of effective utilisation of land-water resources, introduction of advanced experience, expansion of international cooperation in the sphere of seed growing and interaction of coordination in the field of soil-protective technologies.
At the same time, a number of scientific research institutes conduct work on creation and introduction of new high-yielding varieties of crops resistant to drought, according to soil-climatic features of Turkmenistan. It helps support ecological balance and adapt to changing conditions of the weather.
Climate change, along with food security, is directly connected with public health and nutrition. Proceeding from it, there arises the necessity of joining efforts within the framework of combat against climate change, solution of the problems threatening public health and ecosystems as well as such global problems, as maintenance of the population with potable water, energy and the non-polluting environment, safe and high-grade food.
In the given area, Turkmenistan realises the National strategy for climate change and the concept «One health» jointly with international organisations. In this connection, in the field of maintenance of food security and high-quality food under the conditions of climate change, steady manufacture of foodstuff, as well as strengthening of effective international cooperation, purposeful measures are taken for improvement of ecological and social and economic situation in the region and the world.
In speeches of foreign delegates, it was underlined that climate change makes a direct and many-sided impact on food systems and public health. As was marked, the region of Central Asia and the neighbouring states face common problems demanding co-ordinated and scientifically well-founded solutions.
Participants of the Conference underlined the importance of reforming of approaches to food systems to reduce the risks arising out of salination of fields and shortage of water resources as well as the necessity of development of the strategies, which will allow to keep biodiversity and to provide the population with high quality foodstuff under the conditions of climate change.
During discussion, the special attention was given to the concept «One earth». As was marked, such complex approach should form a basis for deep reform of chains of manufacture and agricultural products consumption. The given concept recognises an indissoluble link between public health, health of agricultural animals and state of environment that has a special significance for the regional agriculture.
Speakers stated that introduction of principles of the concept «One health» in the national strategy promotes creation of safe systems of manufacture of foodstuffs, resistant to external influences.
On the sidelines of the Conference, the regional initiatives aimed at strengthening resilience to climate change in Central Asia were considered. As was marked, joint projects promote exchange of the best practices and innovative methods in the field of introduction of agricultural crops resistant to drought. It, in turn, directly influences indicators of food safety.
Besides it, the importance of international cooperation and active attraction of specialised agencies of the United Nations to realisation of programs on adaptation of agriculture to climate change was underlined. The technical and expert support of large international organisations plays a significant role in modernisation of industrial infrastructure in the region.
At thematic sessions, due emphasis was made that climate change demands revision of standards of food and strengthening of control over the quality of foodstuff. As was pointed out, abnormal heat and change of composition of soil will lead to decrease in food value of agricultural crops.
In the general opinion of participants of the Conference, the issue of food safety is inseparably linked with the ecologic challenges. Investments into "green" technologies and efficient control of natural resources are a basis of long-term well-being of countries of Central Asia.
As was marked in speeches, regional cooperation should be aimed at creation of transboundary mechanisms of monitoring of risks, connected with climate change. In the given context, the readiness to deepen interaction for information interchange and experience in agricultural production was confirmed.
The special attention was also given to increase of awareness of the population in issues of healthy food. It was underlined that knowledge of citizens of connection of climate with the quality of foodstuff is a significant link in making public stability and promotes formation of new, ecologically responsible culture of consumption.
During discussion, it was noted that mechanisms of financing of ecological projects should become more accessible to regional countries, and importance of activization of work on attraction of funds to support agricultural manufacturers was underlined.
Stability of systems of manufacture of foodstuffs is directly connected with social well-being. Therefore, maintenance with accessible and non-polluting foodstuff is a priority task under the conditions of global climate change.
As was marked, the present Conference in Ashgabat serves as a debate platform for development of a general approach to solution of world problems at regional level. Its participants underlined the necessity of continuation of such meetings for control over realisation of obligations and strategies.
The emphasis was also made on the importance of strengthening the research potential of the countries of the region. Creation of joint centres for advanced experience concerning health and food will promote rapid introduction of innovations in the systems of agriculture and public health services.
At the end of the Conference, it was underlined that the recommendations and strategies developed during its work will become a significant contribution to international efforts to combat climate change consequences. Participants of the event unanimously supported the idea of joining efforts of states, scientific community and international organisations to solve this topical issue of the modernity effectively.
On the margins of the International conference design documents were also signed: «Coordinated approach to restoration of land resources in the ecosystems subject to sharp influence of climate change in Central Asia» between the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO); «Strengthening integrated water resources management in the Amu Darya, Zarafshan and Panj rivers» between the State Water Management Committee of Turkmenistan and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO); «Acceleration of nature-positive reforms in the agriculture sector of Turkmenistan to boost climate change resilience" and "Strengthening the capacity of Turkmenistan to comply with the Enhanced Transparency Framework under the Paris Agreement» between the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
