Azerbaijan, UN food agency sign two agreements
By Nazrin Gadimova
Azerbaijan's Ministry of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have signed an agreement under the project on the development of seed-growing in the member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization and an agreement on improving the management of the situation with locusts in the Caucasus and Central Asia.
The signing took place within the framework of a meeting of Azerbaijan's Minister of Agriculture Ismet Abbasov and FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for Central Asia Mustapha Sinaceur on September 10.
In his remarks Minister Abbasov spoke of the progress made by Azerbaijan in the agriculture sector and the state support for the agricultural sector.
The minister noted the exceptional role of international organizations in the development of joint projects. He said FAO is currently implementing four national and eight regional projects.
The main objectives of the project aimed at the development of seed-growing include formulating a strategy on the development of the sector at the regional and national level, increasing the production and trade in seeds in the countries involved in the project, as well as strengthening the regional cooperation and the development of private seed farms.
The other project, which seeks to improve the control over the situation with locusts in the Caucasus and Central Asia at the national and regional levels, is aimed at strengthening the fight against locusts, including by taking comprehensive measures to combat locusts and the development of regional cooperation in this regard.
Speaking about the implementation of the latter project, Abbasov noted the importance of regional cooperation and the need to attract borderline states. According to the minister, the main problem is the penetration of pests from the occupied Azerbaijani territories. Abbasov has appealed to FAO representatives to take due action.
Mustapha Sinaceur, for his part, praised the successful development of Azerbaijan's economy over the 20 years of independence and emphasized that these achievements are the results of President Ilham Aliyev's policy.
According to Sinaceur, the 28th FAO Regional Conference, which was held in Baku in 2012, will be used as a model for other countries. Sinaceur expressed confidence that the organization will make every effort to implement the planned projects in Azerbaijan.
FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. FAO is also a source of knowledge and information, and helps developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, ensuring good nutrition and food security for all.