Ashgabat, February 5 | ORIENT. Turkmenistan's cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is entering a new institutional phase. At a briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, the results of FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu's visit to Ashgabat were summarized and the launch of the new Country Programme for 2026–2030 was officially confirmed. The signed Host Country Agreement paves the way for the establishment of a permanent FAO mission, which will serve as a catalyst for agricultural innovation in the region.

The Host Country Agreement is the legal foundation that changes the status of the relationship and provides for the permanent presence of FAO experts, meaning they will work directly "on the ground" in Turkmenistan. Regarding technical assistance, the document provides for direct access to global knowledge bases in the fields of land reclamation, desertification control, and plant breeding.

The establishment of the FAO Permanent Mission also facilitates the advancement of Ashgabat's initiatives at the UN to establish a Regional Climate Technology Center.

The briefing summarized the results of the Country Cooperation Framework for 2021–2025, which laid the foundation for smart agriculture. The focus was on digital transformation: implementing land and water resource monitoring; nature-saving technologies: adapting farms to climate change; and sustainable systems: rational water use is a vital issue for the region.

According to Deputy Foreign Minister Myahri Byashimova, the new program for 2026–2030 will focus on scaling up successful projects. Viorel Gutu (FAO Regional Representative) joined the discussion via videoconference, confirming that Turkmenistan is viewed as a strategic partner in ensuring food security throughout Central Asia.

The Foreign Ministry briefing is more than just a status report. It is a declaration that Turkmenistan intends to export not only energy resources but also stability through food security and a sustainable agricultural industry.