President of Uzbekistan receives FAO’s highest award – Agricola Medal

On October 6, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Qu Dongyu.

The FAO Director-General is visiting Uzbekistan to attend an international conference marking World Cotton Day and the International High-Level Forum on Landlocked Developing Countries on Food Security and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The meeting focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and this specialized UN agency in food security and agricultural development.

The sides noted with satisfaction the results achieved through practical cooperation in recent years. A new five-year partnership program has been adopted, and 27 joint projects are currently being implemented.

Uzbekistan has been elected to the FAO Council for the first time for the 2028-2029 term. Tomorrow, an Agro-Innovation Hub for landlocked countries will be launched in Tashkent.

At the meeting, participants focused on effectively implementing the new cooperation program and developing a promising portfolio of joint projects, especially in digitalization, introducing artificial intelligence in the agricultural sector, attracting climate finance, exchanging experience, and training specialists.

Following the meeting, Qu Dongyu presented Shavkat Mirziyoyev with FAO’s highest award, the Agricola Medal, in special recognition of the initiatives and achievements of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in ensuring food security and developing agriculture and water management.

Established by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in 1977, the Agricola Medal is awarded to distinguished individuals who have demonstrated commitment and taken practical action to achieve universal goals, such as eradicating hunger and ensuring food security.