- The signing of the Host Country Agreement is a major breakthrough, officially paving the way for a permanent FAO Country Representation in Turkmenistan
- Work has begun on the Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2026–2030
- Turkmenistan reported achieving self-sufficiency in milk and meat
- FAO reaffirmed its support for Turkmenistan to become a regional knowledge hub for landlocked and arid countries struggling with land degradation
During his official visit, FAO Director-General Dr. Qu Dongyu signed a historic Host Country Agreement with Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, paving the way for a permanent FAO presence in Turkmenistan. Discussions with President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and government officials focused on the 2026–2030 Country Programming Framework, digital land governance, transboundary water management, and Turkmenistan’s role as a regional knowledge hub for combating desertification.
On 21 January 2026, Dr. Qu Dongyu met with Deputy Prime Minister, foreign minister Rashid Meredov to discuss ways to further strengthen cooperation between FAO and Turkmenistan at national, regional and global levels. On this occasion, the FAO Director-General and the Minister signed the Host Country Agreement, marking a significant milestone in the partnership between FAO and Turkmenistan and paving the way for the establishment of an FAO Country Representation.
According to FAO press release, the Minister informed the Director-General that Turkmenistan had achieved self-sufficiency in milk and meat production for domestic consumption and briefed him on the ongoing development of the cotton and textile industry, highlighting its importance for value addition and economic diversification.
Meredov underscored that water was a vital strategic issue for the country, noting that Turkmenistan had no internal rivers and relied exclusively on transboundary water resources, making sustainable water management essential for food security and stability.
The Director-General welcomed Turkmenistan’s progress and emphasized that agrifood systems are part of the solution to the climate crisis, stressing the importance of a holistic approach that went beyond production to cover the entire value chain. He reaffirmed FAO’s support for Turkmenistan’s efforts to establish a regional knowledge hub on combating desertification, with relevance for arid and landlocked contexts across the region.
Both sides also discussed Turkmenistan’s regional role and engagement as a landlocked developing country (LLDC). The Minister reiterated Turkmenistan’s willingness to support neighbouring countries, in particular Afghanistan, through cooperation on food security, water management and knowledge sharing.
The Director-General welcomed this commitment and reaffirmed FAO’s readiness to continue supporting Turkmenistan in advancing sustainable agrifood systems, climate resilience and regional cooperation.
The same day Dr QU Dongyu met with DPM Tangryguly Atahallyyev (agriculture). The meeting was also attended by Charyyar Chetiyev, Minister for Agriculture, and Charygeldi Babanyyazov, Minister for Environmental Protection.
The discussions focused on strengthening FAO–Turkmenistan cooperation and advancing joint priorities in agrifood systems transformation, climate action and institutional development.
The Director-General welcomed the Government’s support for the establishment of an FAO Country Representation and emphasized that it would significantly strengthen FAO’s operational presence and engagement in the country. The meeting also addressed the preparation of the FAO–Turkmenistan Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2026–2030, aimed at scaling cooperation across agriculture, environment and health sectors.
The Director-General highlighted the importance of policy coherence to ensure safe food production, climate-smart agricultural practices, and improved nutrition outcomes. FAO acknowledged the Government’s sustained support for digital agriculture and land governance, including progress on the digital land cadaster, and the modernization of crop monitoring systems using remote sensing technologies. The Director-General also referred to the recently established Global Partnership on Transboundary Animal Diseases and invited Turkmenistan to join.
The discussions also covered climate finance, and Turkmenistan’s regional leadership role, particularly in the context of landlocked developing countries.
The Director-General encouraged continued engagement in regional and global fora and looked forward to the upcoming 35th FAO Regional Ministerial Conference for Europe, to be held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, from 11 to 15 May 2026.
In Ashgabat, the FAO Director General met with President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The meetings took place on the sideline of the International Conference on Food Security in the Context of Climate Change entitled “Health and Nutrition in a Changing Climate”. ///nCa, 23 January 2026