In implementing its national priorities related to improving the level and quality of life of the population, Turkmenistan actively cooperates with international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Cooperation is carried out within the framework of the FAO-Turkey Partnership Program (PPFT), the goals of which are to promote food security, reduce rural poverty, sustainable forest management, combat desertification and preserve ecosystems in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan and other countries.
During the first phase of this Program, which was implemented from 2009 to 2015 in 16 countries, Turkmenistan took part in eight out of 28 projects. Currently, Turkmenistan participates in a number of projects: «Reduction of Food Loss and Waste in the Central Asia, Azerbaijan and Turkey", "Strengthening regional collaboration and national capacities for management of wheat rust diseases and resistance breeding in Central Asia and the Caucasus (CAC-Rust)» and «Capacity Development for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Management in Central Asia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey».
The project, aimed at reducing food loss and waste, supports Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in developing and implementing national strategies and action plans to reduce food loss and waste. It also aims to promote subregional dialogue, mobilize actors, both public and private, and help tackle food loss and spoilage. The importance of reducing food loss and wastage is linked to ensuring the efficiency and sustainability of food systems.
Under the second project, strengthening regional cooperation and national capacities in wheat rust control and in the breeding of resistant varieties in Central Asia and the Caucasus (CAC-Rust) will be achieved by increasing the productivity of wheat production and increasing its resistance to rust epidemics. As you know, wheat is the most widespread crop in the world and the main raw material in ensuring food security in many regions, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. The project is designed for the period up to 2024 and covers seven countries: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
A fisheries project called FISH Cap, up to and including 2022, aims to increase the capacity of countries to sustainably exploit, manage and protect natural resources through the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture. The ultimate goal of these projects is to achieve food security and fight poverty in rural areas, which contributes to the achievement of the SDGs at the national and global levels.
The management of the day-to-day activities of the full project cycle, from start to finish, as well as the development of project programs, is carried out in the regional, sub-regional offices and, increasingly, in the FAO country offices. Therefore, at the online meeting of the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov with the Director of the Regional Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Viorel Gutsu, the parties expressed their readiness to step up actions to open an FAO office in Turkmenistan. This will create new opportunities for the development and implementation of joint projects and programs, the use of international best practices in the field of sustainable agricultural development and maintaining food security.
Ogulgozel Rejepova