Präsident Tokajew diskutiert globale Ernährungssicherheit mit UN-Beamten
Präsident Tokayev betonte die Bedeutung des globalen Ernährungssicherheitsabkommens mit dem FAO-Direktor
ASTANA – President Tokayev met with the Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Qu Dongyu, at the Rome headquarters on January 19, the Akorda press service reported.
During the meeting, Tokayev emphasized the importance of ensuring global food security and promoting sustainable development of the agro-industrial complex.
„Food scarcity is one of the most urgent issues on the global agenda. As one of the leading producers of grain crops, Kazakhstan aims to contribute to addressing this problem. The volume of wheat exports reaches almost 6 million tons. We are among the top ten producers of grain and flour,“ said the President.
The President expressed Kazakhstan’s interest in supporting UN experts in improving seed production, combating land degradation, promoting environmentally friendly agriculture, and the rational and efficient use of water and land resources. As part of participating in the global FAO initiative „One Country One Priority Product,“ aimed at developing sustainable production and trade chains for the marketing of unique local agricultural products, Tokayev presented Qu with the Almaty Aport apples.
„Kazakhstan is widely known as the birthplace of the apple. Aport apples grow near Almaty, the largest metropolis in our country. Together, we aim to bring this diversity to world markets. I rely on your personal support in promoting this initiative,“ said the President.
Tokayev also discussed the country’s priorities as the chair of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) and the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), and called on the FAO to support the development of land reclamation projects in the Aral Basin and water resource management. He also proposed the establishment of an FAO sub-regional office for Central Asia in Kazakhstan.
During the meeting with the Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), Cindy Lou McCain, Tokayev discussed Kazakhstan’s efforts to ensure global food security and provide humanitarian assistance through international organizations, including the IOFS and the United Nations.
In 2023, Kazakhstan provided humanitarian assistance worth 9.2 million US dollars to six countries. Faced with the difficult humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, Kazakhstan donated 1 million US dollars to the Palestinian people and delivered two shipments of humanitarian aid. Afghanistan, Turkey, Pakistan, and other countries affected by natural disasters also received financial assistance.
The President paid particular attention to the situation in Afghanistan. In his opinion, it is extremely important that the international community continues to make efforts to prevent a humanitarian crisis in this country.
Tokayev said that work is currently underway to establish a UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty. The activities of this center will optimize the cross-sectoral coordination of the United Nations in Central Asia to strengthen peace, security, and sustainable development in the region.
Following the meetings, Tokayev invited Qu and McCain to participate in the upcoming Astana International Forum.
