FAO and Turkmenistan sign new framework to advance sustainable agrifood systems through 2030

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Turkmenistan have signed a new Country Programming Framework (CPF) covering the period of 2026 to 2030. It sets out a shared roadmap to strengthen cooperation on sustainable agrifood systems, climate resilience, rural livelihoods, and evidence-based policymaking over the next five years.

The agreement was signed by Charyyar Chetiyev, Minister for Agriculture, and Nabil Gangi, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia on the sidelines of the COP31 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Türkiye, marking another important step in the expanding partnership between FAO and Turkmenistan. It follows the signing of the Host Country Agreement in Ashgabat on 21 January 2026 during the official visit of FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, which paved the way for the establishment of the FAO Country Office in Turkmenistan.

Developed through close consultations with the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, and other key national actors, the CPF is aligned with Turkmenistan’s national priorities, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2026–2030, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“Turkmenistan has built a strong agricultural tradition in a challenging climate, where water, land and human ingenuity must work together. This makes our cooperation especially important,” said Nabil Gangi. “Through this new framework, we will support more efficient land and water management, climate-resilient agriculture, stronger food security, healthier plant and animal production, and greater use of digital technologies, satellite data and innovation.”

Roadmap for agrifood systems transformation

Turkmenistan’s agriculture sector remains an important source of employment and economic growth, particularly in rural areas. At the same time, the sector faces challenges linked to water scarcity, ageing irrigation infrastructure, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, climate-related risks, and the need for stronger sanitary and phytosanitary systems. The new CPF provides a structured platform for FAO and national partners to address these challenges through technical cooperation, policy support, capacity development and resource mobilization.

Under the framework, FAO will support Turkmenistan in three main areas.

First, FAO will contribute to more inclusive, transparent and evidence-based agrifood systems governance. This includes support to designing and implementing agrifood transformation policies and programmes, with particular attention to smallholder farmers, rural women and youth. FAO will also promote the use of digital technologies, collection of data through agricultural censuses, surveys, registries and geospatial systems to improve alignment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Second, the framework will support inclusive and sustainable economic diversification and growth. FAO will work with national partners to enhance capacities related to agrifood trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, market access, value chains, logistics and post-harvest handling. The CPF also places emphasis on expanding access for rural people – especially women and youth – to finance, markets, education opportunities, entrepreneurship support, and decent employment.

Third, FAO will support Turkmenistan in strengthening natural resource management, climate action, disaster risk reduction and resilience. This will include assistance in implementing national climate commitments, improving water-use efficiency, promoting climate-smart agriculture, supporting integrated water resources management, and strengthening early warning and information systems for animal and plant pests and diseases through a One Health approach.

The Country Programming Framework also highlights the potential of sustainable agrifood systems to contribute to economic transformation, job creation, climate adaptation and progress across multiple SDGs. The new framework will help strengthen FAO’s contribution to these efforts.

© FAO/Nezih Tavlas