FAO and Uzbekistan partner for more resilience, growth and equity in rural areas by 2030

By signing a new agreement, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Uzbekistan have pledged to provide more targeted and country-specific support to rural communities. By 2030, the agreement foresees the improvement of territorial development strategies, food safety and nutrition, One Health surveillance, natural resources management, and the handling of environmental risks and hazards in agriculture.

The FAO–Uzbekistan Country Programming Framework 2026–2030 is embedded in the United Nations’ strategic priorities in the country and the globally adopted Sustainable Development Goals.

With today’s signature by Viorel Gutu, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, and Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov, Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, the agreement enters into force.
“Our partnership with Uzbekistan is built on a solid ground – on the strong commitment to make the food and agricultural sector more inclusive, resilient and sustainable,” Gutu said. “FAO offers its world-class expertise and experience for supporting the country. Together, we are working to improve the lives of families and individuals living in rural areas and contributing to local economies across Uzbekistan.” 

Uzbekistan joined FAO in 2001, and the FAO Representation in Tashkent was opened in 2014.

Agriculture in a landlocked country

Located in Central Asia, Uzbekistan is one of the two double-landlocked countries in the world, meaning that even its neighbouring countries are landlocked. With its predominantly dry and mountainous terrain, agricultural production is mostly concentrated on limited irrigated and rainfed land.

Still, agriculture (including forestry and fisheries) remains a key sector in the Uzbek economy, contributing 19 percent to its gross domestic product in 2024. Additionally, the country has made measurable progress in improving food security and nutrition among its population, as confirmed by international benchmarks and national statistics.

The country’s agricultural sector is not without internal and external challenges. Hampered access to essential productive resources (especially for rural women and youth), climate change, environmental degradation, shifting trade patterns, inefficiencies and transboundary water dependencies call for stronger and more targeted responses to put the country’s agrifood systems on a growing trajectory.

Partnering for sustainable and inclusive growth

The Country Programming Framework was designed to support the Government of Uzbekistan in achieving its national strategic priorities for transforming its food and agricultural sectors, focusing on sustainable agricultural growth, sustainable management and use of land, water resources, climate resilience, rural development, and inclusive economic opportunities.

It foresees stronger national capacities for improved territorial development strategies to reduce poverty and disparities in rural areas. Integrated food safety governance, nutrition policies and One Health surveillance must be made better if public health and nutrition are to improve. The two partners will emphasize the integrated and climate-resilient management of land, water and biodiversity within agrifood systems and will strive to better manage environmental risks and hazards in agrifood systems, especially in plant protection, chemicals, waste, air and water quality, and disaster risk reduction.

Currently, FAO has 35 active projects in Uzbekistan. These span multiple technical areas, including school meal programmes, agricultural statistics, digital agriculture, biodiversity, integrated natural resources management, One Health and many more.