15 May 2026, Dushanbe: FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, met with H.E. Ilich Marsbek Uulu, First Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic, on the margins of the 35th FAO Regional Conference for Europe (ERC35) to discuss priorities for strengthening cooperation between FAO and Kyrgyzstan in support of resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
The Director-General congratulated the First Deputy Minister on his recent appointment and invited him to share the Ministry’s priorities for the coming years. The First Deputy Minister informed the Director-General that the Government had launched a restructuring process within the Ministry and was finalizing an ambitious agricultural development plan through 2030. He highlighted growing opportunities in beef and dairy production, noting increasing regional demand, particularly from Uzbekistan, as well as Kyrgyzstan’s favorable natural conditions for livestock production. He also expressed interest in further strengthening Kyrgyzstan’s collaboration with FAO.
[uam_ad id="80259"]
The First Deputy Minister further raised concerns regarding emerging regional challenges linked to fertilizer shortages caused by the crisis in the Middle East. He noted that in May the country had received only around 10 percent of its total fertilizer needs, which was already negatively affecting agricultural production and food security. The Director-General reaffirmed FAO’s readiness to provide analytical and technical support to help the Government strengthen food security monitoring, resilience and evidence-based decision-making.
Both sides discussed opportunities for enhanced cooperation in areas including livestock production, climate resilience, water management, organic agriculture, support to mountain communities, and transboundary animal disease prevention. The Director-General reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to continue supporting Kyrgyzstan through its ongoing programme portfolio, including initiatives on artificial glaciers, sustainable livestock systems, youth engagement and rural development, as well as through regional and global partnerships aimed at strengthening resilience and sustainable agricultural transformation.
Global Agriculture is an independent international media platform covering agri-business, policy, technology, and sustainability. For editorial collaborations, thought leadership, and strategic communications, write to pr@global-agriculture.com
