Uza. Samarkand hosts an International Conference on Food Security.
More than 620 foreign guests from 32 countries and representatives of more than 30 prestigious international organizations are participating in the event.
The opening ceremony of the international conference was held at Samarkand Congress Center.
Prime Minister A. Aripov read the address of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the participants of the conference.
In the address, it is noted that thanks to the “green revolution” and the widespread introduction of innovative technologies over the past decades, the volume of agricultural production has increased significantly, and tangible results have been achieved in providing food to the growing population of the Earth. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic and crises in world politics and the economy have recently led to disruptions in the supply chain of agricultural products and increased prices for it.
Developing countries are particularly affected by this. The situation is exacerbated by global climate change and a reduction in agriculture and food sector investments. This jeopardizes the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Republic of Uzbekistan was one of the first to support the initiative of UN Secretary-General António Guterres to hold the UN Food Systems Summit in 2021. Today’s forum has become its logical continuation. The current conference is a logical continuation of this summit.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Qu Dongyu congratulated the participants and focused his attention on the fact that this prestigious event is held in Uzbekistan for a reason.
– I am convinced that Uzbekistan is where the region’s best and highest quality food products are grown, – said Qu Dongyu. – Today’s political and socio-economic stability in Uzbekistan is rightfully recognized in the region and by the world community. Moreover, this sacred land is the cradle of ancient civilizations. Thanks to today’s efforts and the development process, I am sure it will reach this level again. At the same time, the successful implementation of work on the development of agriculture in the country at the level of modern requirements and the achievement of food security fully meets the requirements of the UN Development Programme.
The leaders of the Economic Cooperation Organization, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) also addressed the conference, emphasizing that this forum and the issues discussed at it concern the present and future of peoples around the world.
In particular, the Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization Khusrav Noziri noted that today, in several countries, it is becoming difficult to provide the population even with local food, which is especially pronounced in countries with middle and low-income levels.
– To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, we must eliminate global hunger, – Mr. Noziri said.
The plenary session continued with panel sessions. During the sessions, representatives of each country, using the example of their states, expressed their views on such issues as ensuring global food security, the widespread introduction of innovations in agriculture, maintaining environmental cleanliness, and rational use of land.
The agenda included discussions and debates on various issues reflecting the objectives of achieving the “Zero Hunger” goal for the population not only of the participating countries, but also of the peoples of the whole world, including the opening of express corridors for food delivery.
According to experts, today, the world faces land degradation and water scarcity, a pandemic, and an unstable geopolitical situation. In this process, the issue of food security is significant. It was noted that the holding of the Samarkand Conference was a very timely event.
– There is a rapid increase in the world’s population, – said the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Israel Avi Dichter. – It is estimated that by 2050, the population will reach 10 billion people. The threat of a climate crisis is also growing. In this situation, global cooperation is essential. To ensure a bright future, it is necessary to establish a constructive exchange of ideas between all people. In this process, innovative solutions are beneficial. In Israel, over the years, a standard based on the scientific collaboration of scientists and farmers has been created to solve problems in the industry. As a result, agriculture has become an industry.
According to the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry of Italy Francesco Lollobrigida, in the current conditions, providing quality food is one of the most important aspects for all countries and peoples. For example, in Italy, the focus is on introducing modern technologies and green innovations. The main goal is to double the yield without affecting the condition of the soil.
Representatives of agricultural and industrial enterprises and clusters from all regions are participating in the exhibition with their products and services, organized within the framework of the conference and reflecting Uzbekistan’s agricultural potential. At the same time, agricultural machinery and modern technologies introduced into the sphere are demonstrated.
The Samarkand Declaration was adopted following the results of the issues discussed at the sessions.
– The pandemic and various other global challenges are calling us to rethink the old approaches, promoting the farming movement and agribusiness, and prove the importance of new ways of farming, – said the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan Aziz Voitov. – At present, the agri-food chain reorganization process is underway in our country. It is planned to attract the world’s leading scientists to further strengthen the industry’s potential and provide the population with quality food. New solutions and innovations are needed to reach as many people as possible with quality food. These issues, which are at the center of discussions, form the basis of the Samarkand Declaration.
In addition, the document provides for the following goals:
– development of agriculture in the most environmentally friendly, biodiversity-preserving way with the optimal use of water resources;
– assistance in the healthy nutrition of the population, in particular children and adolescents, the introduction of comprehensive nutrition programs in schools;
– empowerment of rural women to enhance their participation in the transformation of the agri-food system;
– support for small and family farms at the state level, expanding the access of such structures to production and natural and financial resources.
As part of the conference, the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mr. Voitov held bilateral meetings with the heads of several international organizations and ministers of foreign partner countries.
The conference will continue its work on September 8. The day’s main event is expected to be the Agricultural Investment Forum of Uzbekistan. It will provide information on projects implemented in the country’s agricultural sector and plans. At the same time, the work carried out jointly with foreign investors in this area will be analyzed, and tasks for the future will be determined.
It is also planned to familiarize the participants of the conference with the activities of enterprises for the production of agricultural products in Samarkand region.
