FAO and Azerbaijan improve agri-food systems program for COP29

A regional climate seminar on "Strengthening climate measures in the agro-food sector of European and Central Asian countries" is being held at the Ministry of Agriculture. Representatives from relevant state institutions of about 20 countries, as well as employees of international organizations, are participating in the event. The seminar was organized in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN) and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan in order to strengthen climate action in agriculture in Europe and Central Asia. The seminar aims to support European and Central Asian states in preparation for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to be held in November this year.

Opening the event with an introductory speech, Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov said that the seminar aims to strengthen the fight against climate change and agriculture at the global level and provides a unique platform for developing sustainable strategies. Climate change is one of the main factors affecting the development of the agricultural sector in the global economy. Our country, which has limited land and water resources, is one of the countries most affected by the negative effects of climate change.

Minister Majnun Mammadov noted that "green growth" was accepted as one of the national priorities by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, when defining the vision and strategy for socio-economic development. In this regard, 2024 was declared the "Year of Solidarity for the Green World" by the relevant Decree of the head of the country. According to the order, one of the five national priorities for socio-economic development of Azerbaijan until 2030 was defined as "Country of clean environment and green growth". Minister Majnun Mammadov added that in accordance with this priority, continuous work is being done in the direction of improving the environment in our country, ensuring efficient use of land and water resources and sustainable energy sources. The minister stressed that COP-29, which will be hosted by Azerbaijan this year, will play an important role in adapting agricultural and environmental policies to advanced international practices, technological exchange and innovations in our country.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Vugar Karimov noted that today the production capacity of water and land resources in the world is at the limit and barely meets the current demand. According to him, in addition to the rapid increase in the world population's demand for food, climate changes also increase the pressure on land and water resources. Especially in recent years, the increase in the number and frequency of extreme weather events has a significant negative impact on the agricultural sector. The Deputy Minister gave detailed information to the participants of the event about the work done in the framework of the fight against climate change in Azerbaijan.

Zakir Guliyev, Chairman of the Management Board of the "Regional Water Reclamation Service" subordinated to the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency, said that in the present conditions, maintaining the ecological balance, efficient use of natural resources, and protection of water, soil and atmospheric air from pollution has become a universal problem. The official of the agency drew attention to the importance of efficient use of water resources in the conditions of recent global climate changes and the increase in water demand in the country, and touched on the work done in this direction.

The representative of FAO in Azerbaijan, Muhammad Nasar Hayat, in turn, emphasized that the government of Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the promotion of sustainable agro-food systems and the fight against climate change. A transition to sustainable agri-food systems is essential to achieving the Paris Agreement's goals of keeping global temperature increases well below 2°C, an FAO official said. He noted that global cooperation is important for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals against the background of modern challenges, and that the organization he represents will continue to support member countries in this direction.

After the speeches, the regional climate seminar continued its work with panel sessions. The sessions discussed the issues of preserving the ecological balance, efficient use of natural resources, reducing the effects of climate change, and building climate-friendly sustainable agro-food systems. The event included an improved transparency framework, climate finance, the Global Objectives Framework for Adaptation, the Program of Action for Mitigation and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, the integration of agricultural sectors and food systems in the Europe and Central Asia region into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), COP29 presentations were held on current topics in the agenda.

The seminar will last 3 days.