An international seminar on “Sustainable Food Systems in Forestry” was held in Samarkand, bringing together representatives of national institutions, international organizations and experts to discuss opportunities for sustainable forest-based production.
Participants included Erkin Mukhitdinov, Director of the Agency for Afforestation, Expansion of Green Areas, and Combating Desertification under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Sooyeon Laura Jin, Forestry Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); Liliana Annovazzi-Jakab, Chief of the Forests and Air Section at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE); World Bank experts; and representatives of the media.
The seminar was organized on 15 October 2026 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), with the participation of RESILAND Uzbekistan.
Discussions focused on improving the production of food products on forest lands, strengthening food security, promoting agroforestry and further developing beekeeping.
In his remarks, Erkin Mukhiddinov emphasized the need to improve the cultivation of medicinal plants in forest areas, promote economic development in the region’s desert territories, and create opportunities for local communities to generate income and access employment through these activities.
“Under the direct initiative of the Head of State, a number of reforms are being implemented in the forestry sector in our country. Particular attention is being paid to promoting agroforestry, establishing new pistachio plantations, expanding economic activities in desert areas, and implementing the nationwide Yashil Makon (Green Space) initiative,” noted Erkin Mukhiddinov.
The seminar is expected to contribute to strengthening the region’s environmental sustainability, advancing the green economy, expanding forest-based production and further enhancing international cooperation.
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The Uzbekistan Resilient Landscape Restoration Project (RESILAND Uzbekistan) is part of the World Bank’s RESILAND CA+ program, aimed at strengthening landscape resilience across Central Asian countries. Similar national and regional activities are also being implemented in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
RESILAND Uzbekistan is implemented by the Agency for Increasing Forests and Green Areas and Combating Desertification under the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with financial support from the World Bank, PROGREEN, and KWPF.
The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) implements the regional component of the Uzbekistan Resilient Landscape Restoration Project.
Contact information:
Dildora Aralova – Environmental safety specialist, the Agency for Afforestation, Expansion of Green Areas, and Combating Desertification under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Azamat Kauazov – Deputy Team Leader of Uzbekistan Resilient Landscape Restoration project: regional component, CAREC