Opening of FAO offices discussed in Baku
By Nigar Orujova
Opening coordination and partnership offices of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Azerbaijan was discussed in a meeting of Agriculture Minister Ismat Abbasov with FAO subregional coordinator for Central Asia Mustafa Sinasir in Baku on Tuesday.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the ongoing projects and prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and FAO were discussed.
Abbasov praised the projects implemented by the organization in the country and cited the expedience of continuing this tendency.
In turn, Sinasir promised to make every effort for further development of relations between the FAO and Azerbaijan.
At present, Azerbaijan participates in three national and seven regional FAO projects, according to the FAO Baku office chief Tarana Bashirova.
The first project is aimed to cultivate a virus-free potato seed. The project, worth $400,000, will be an initial step in the creation of biotechnology laboratories and cultivation of virus-free potato seeds.
The second project, costing a total of $350,000, envisions expansion of capabilities of the Ministry of Agriculture and other relevant organizations in marketing agricultural produce.
The third national project, amounting to $200,000, is aimed at developing organic agriculture in Azerbaijan.
Moreover, Azerbaijan participates in various regional projects, including those related to food security and agriculture.
Minister Abbasov was invited to chair the FAO European regional conference to be held in Rome June 15-20.
FAO is the UN specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger, serving both developed and developing countries, and acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy.
FAO has 191 member nations, two associate members and one member organization, the European Union.
The organization's mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy.