14 May 2026, Dushanbe: At the conclusion of his participation in the 35th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe (ERC35), QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) highlighted the importance of regional solidarity, innovation and investment in accelerating the transformation of agrifood systems across Europe and Central Asia amid growing climate, economic and geopolitical pressures.
Held under the theme "Uniting for Sustainability," the Conference brought together ministers and senior representatives from across the region to discuss pathways for building more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
In his opening address to the Conference, the Director-General stressed that the interconnected challenges facing countries across the region - including climate crisis, economic uncertainty and supply chain disruptions - required coordinated action, stronger partnerships and innovative solutions.
He urged participants to focus their discussions on two pressing priorities: enhancing the resilience of agrifood systems throughout the region and mobilizing the investment needed to support and sustain that resilience.
On the margins of the Conference, the Director-General held a series of bilateral meetings with ministers and senior officials to discuss strengthening cooperation in areas including sustainable water management, land conservation, climate resilience, digital agriculture, biodiversity conservation and investment in rural development.
Alongside the ministerial discussions, the Director-General participated in the GENERATION YSInvest event series, celebrating youth empowerment, science and innovation, and investment as key drivers of agrifood systems transformation. Here, he stressed the region's strong potential to advance sustainable agricultural development through stronger cooperation, innovation and targeted investment.
As part of this, the Director-General also addressed a ministerial investment dialogue on unlocking Central Asia's potential as a major grain-producing region, highlighting the importance of sustainable natural resource management, resilient wheat value chains and increased investment to strengthen regional and global food security.
The interactive GENERATION YSInvest exhibition held on the sidelines of the Conference further showcased innovative approaches, technologies and partnerships aimed at connecting farmers, youth, women, innovators, policymakers and investors to help scale practical agrifood solutions across the region.
On Tuesday, the Director-General concluded his programme in Tajikistan with a visit to the Nurek Dam, one of the country's key hydropower and water infrastructure facilities, where discussions focused on the importance of integrated water resource management and sustainable natural resource use for agrifood systems transformation - both key topics for the whole region.
The Director-General also toured a recently inaugurated greenhouse complex showcasing modern greenhouse production technologies and efforts to enhance year-round horticultural production, improve resource efficiency and strengthen local food supply chains. A visit to a pomegranate orchard was also part of the agenda in a region around the city of Nurek - a significant agricultural hub particularly known for its pomegranate production.
He further participated at the opening of an agricultural exhibition organized by the Government of Tajikistan on the occasion of ERC35, highlighting national agricultural products, innovations and technologies, as well as the country's efforts to promote sustainable agricultural development, food security and rural livelihoods.
The visits underscored the important role of innovation, infrastructure and regional cooperation in strengthening resilience and accelerating the transformation of agrifood systems across Europe and Central Asia.
The 35th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe continues in Dushanbe through the week, where Members are expected to endorse regional priorities and provide guidance for FAO's work in the region for the coming biennium.
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