FAO nears completion of new partnership agreement with Azerbaijan

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is finalising a new partnership agreement with Azerbaijan, FAO Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia and Assistant Director-General Viorel Gutu said.

Gutu made the remarks to journalists, according to Report, highlighting the importance of seeds to agricultural development and the future of the sector.

“Seeds are an extremely important topic both as the beginning of life and from the perspective of the future of agriculture. FAO is proud of its contribution to organising this conference. The partnership with Azerbaijan covers technical assistance, the development and implementation of agricultural policy. The new partnership agreement between FAO and Azerbaijan is already at the final stage. The next stage will be implemented, and seed production will be one of its areas. We will cooperate in this field with the Government of Azerbaijan,” he said.

Gutu also emphasised the significance of Azerbaijan’s new law on seed production, adopted in July, for the country’s agricultural sector and food security.

FAO is a specialised United Nations agency that leads international efforts to combat hunger and promote food security. It works with governments and other partners on agricultural policy, sustainable agrifood systems, technical assistance and rural development. The organisation currently has 194 members — 193 countries and the European Union — and operates in more than 130 countries.

By Tamilla Hasanova