Uzbekistan Expands Global Agricultural Ties at Summit in Ethiopia

Uzbek Minister of Agriculture Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov has met with representatives from the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) at the second UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) held in Addis Ababa to discuss expanding collaboration in the agricultural sector.

During the meeting, ICARDA representatives proposed establishing direct cooperation with Uzbekistan’s Agricultural Coordination Center, aiming to support the implementation of the country's National Agricultural Development Strategy, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.

The discussions highlighted ICARDA’s global standing as one of the top four agricultural gene banks, known for its scientific excellence in plant genetics. Both sides expressed a shared interest in deepening cooperation specifically in genetic research and innovation.

Recognizing the ICARDA representative's expertise in livestock development in Ethiopia, the two parties also explored opportunities for joint training programs and experience-sharing initiatives to build the capacity of Uzbek agricultural professionals.

Abdurakhmonov extended an official invitation for ICARDA to join Uzbekistan’s HECI initiative - Humanity, Ethics, Creativity, Imagination - which promotes innovative and human-centric approaches to sustainable agricultural development.