National Convenor Touchpoint Meeting with Tajikistan advances collaboration on food systems transformation priorities for 2026

18 June 2026, Dushanbe – The recent National Convenor Touchpoint Meeting on food systems transformation brought together representatives of the National Food Systems Coordination Mechanism and the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. The meeting provided an opportunity to review progress, identify priority areas for collaboration, and strengthen alignment between national and regional food systems transformation efforts for 2026.

The meeting served as an important platform for dialogue, reflection, and strategic planning, enabling participants to exchange updates on the country's food systems transformation journey and explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation in support of national development priorities.

During the meeting, the National Convenor, Mr. Shirinjonzoda Mahmud, First Deputy Chairman of the Food Safety Committee under the Government of Tajikistan, presented the country's progress in implementing its food systems transformation pathway, emphasizing recent successes, flagship initiatives and significant milestones achieved since launching the transformation agenda. The discussions also focused on the strategic priorities for 2026, including the planned actions needed to accelerate the development of sustainable, inclusive and resilient food systems that will contribute to improved nutrition, livelihoods, environmental sustainability and economic growth.

Participants representing the Tajikistan Government's Committee for Food Security, the United Nations Resident Coordination Office, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub (“the Hub”) engaged in an open and constructive discussion on the challenges and emerging needs affecting efforts to transform food systems. The dialogue examined existing gaps, technical and financial resource requirements, and areas where the Hub and its Ecosystem of Support could provide targeted support and added value.

“In terms of the importance of continued collaboration, I would like to acknowledge that the strong partnerships, coordinated action, and knowledge exchange are critical to accelerating progress towards sustainable food systems and achieving national and global development objectives,” emphasized Mr. Shirinjonzoda Mahmud.  

Opening the meeting, Mr. Khaled Eltaweel, Senior Coordinator at the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub acknowledged the consistency, commitment, and leadership that Tajikistan has demonstrated throughout its food systems transformation journey.

“Tajikistan has consistently been one of the most active and engaged countries within the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. From its participation in the UN Food Systems Summit in 2021 and the development and implementation of its national pathway, to its active engagement in the UNFSS+2 and UNFSS+4 Stocktaking Moments, the country has shown a strong and sustained commitment to food systems transformation. This engagement has positioned Tajikistan as an important contributor to advancing the global food systems agenda,” reaffirmed Ms. Cinar Yavuz, Programme Officer and Regional Focal Point for Europe and Central Asia, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub.

Responding to support needs articulated by Mr. Shirinjonzoda, the Hub shared important developments on the Joint SDG Fund Programme under which Tajikistan is implementing the project “Transforming Food Systems for Improved Nutrition in Tajikistan”, as well as information on available technical assistance, knowledge resources and partnership opportunities, including the possibility for Tajikistan to participate in the second cohort of the UN Food Systems Youth Leadership Programme (YLP) and in the Convergence Initiative. These discussions helped to identify opportunities for Joint UN technical assistance, stronger regional cooperation and peer learning among countries advancing food systems transformation.

The meeting concluded with an agreement on a set of follow-up actions, including the potential organization of a Convergence Initiative Workshop in Tajikistan later this year. The workshop will also seek to build synergies with the Joint SDG Fund-supported programme, “Transforming Food Systems for Better Nutrition in Tajikistan”.

The National Convenor Touchpoint Meeting reaffirmed the commitment of national stakeholders and the Hub to collaborate in finding transformative solutions to improve food security, nutrition, environmental sustainability and resilience for present and future generations.