Minister Majnun Mammadov participated in the "Agricultural Diplomacy Seminar" held in Turkey

The Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Majnun Mammadov, participated in the “Agricultural Diplomacy Seminar” organized within the framework of the IV Agriculture and Forestry Council held in Ankara.

Opening the event with an introductory speech, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye, İbrahim Yumaklı, said that ensuring food security against the backdrop of global climate change is one of the main priorities. Assessing agriculture as a strategic sector, İbrahim Yumaklı emphasized that supporting small businesses, applying climate-resistant technologies and practices, and efficient use of water are of particular importance in response to modern challenges. The Minister also noted that cooperation and exchange of experience with other countries in this direction are continuing.

In his speech, the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Majnun Mammadov, said that global climate change - droughts, floods and fires - pose serious threats to the agricultural sector and significant risks to ensuring the food security of countries. Recalling the successful organization of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku last November, he noted that all states should take their commitments on climate change seriously and actively work to implement the initiatives they have adopted in this area.

Minister Majnun Mammadov emphasized that special importance should be attached to cooperation on bilateral and multilateral platforms in order to overcome existing difficulties in the agricultural sector, ensure quality product production and food security. The Minister noted that improving the material well-being of farmers, who are the main driving force of the agricultural sector, should always be kept at the forefront of attention. Agreements reached on bilateral and multilateral platforms should not remain on paper, but should move from paper diplomacy to concrete action and implementation diplomacy. In other words, all states should attach special importance to the allocation of funds in order to successfully implement global initiatives and achieve sustainable development in the agricultural sector. Minister Majnun Mammadov said that the agrarian reforms implemented by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, envisage the further development of agriculture, and for this purpose, the state is implementing very large support measures. As a result of the measures implemented, the living standards of farmers are increasing, and the sustainable development of the agricultural sector is ensured.

The Minister added that the lands of Azerbaijan, which have been under occupation for 30 years, have been mined, water sources have been polluted, and great damage has been done to the environment. After the liberation of the Azerbaijani lands from occupation, large-scale restoration and reconstruction work is being carried out in these areas. The goal is to effectively use the agrarian potential of these areas, rebuild the destroyed agricultural infrastructure, and give new life to these lands. The most modern agricultural innovations are being applied in this process. The Minister also noted that Azerbaijan is actively benefiting from the experience of Turkey, which has rich experience and modern technologies in the agricultural sector. A number of successful projects are being implemented within the framework of agricultural cooperation between the two countries.

Other speakers at the seminar shared their views on reducing food losses, global climate change and biodiversity, strengthening climate resilience, protecting ecosystems, applying digital technologies in agriculture, developing innovative processes in the agricultural sector, and forming a sustainable supply chain.

A bilateral meeting was also held in Ankara between the Ministers of Agriculture of Azerbaijan and Türkiye. During the meeting, the issues of existing cooperation between the two countries in the field of agriculture and its expansion were discussed. The parties considered cooperation with Türkiye in the field of fisheries, the transfer of the latest technologies in this field, exchange of experience in reducing the negative impacts of climate change on the agricultural sector, and increasing trade turnover in agriculture and food products.

Then, a meeting was held between the Minister of Agriculture of Azerbaijan, Majnun Mammadov, and the Minister of Trade of Türkiye, Ömer Bolat. The meeting exchanged views on the establishment of a processing industry for products produced in the liberated territories, the export of products produced in these regions, including in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, as well as cooperation in the field of agricultural exhibitions held in both countries.