Uzbekistan advances integrated food systems transformation as a double landlocked country facing climate and water pressures

Uzbekistan convened a national workshop from 31 March – 1 April to advance a more integrated approach to food systems transformation and climate action. While the country has made measurable progress in improving food security, climate change and water scarcity are emerging as critical constraints, particularly given that around 90% of water withdrawals are used in agriculture. Addressing these challenges requires moving beyond sectoral approaches toward more coordinated and system-wide solutions. Uzbekistan is laying the foundation for a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable food system, tailored to its unique context as a double landlocked country facing increasing climate and water pressures.

Hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with FAO Uzbekistan, and facilitated by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, the workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from across ministries, technical institutions and development partners. Participants engaged in a multi-stakeholder dialogue aimed at strengthening coordination and aligning policies, investments and implementation.

Moving beyond silos toward a shared vision

Discussions highlighted that food security is not only about increasing production, but also about ensuring food safety, quality and affordability. Strengthening standards, integrating early warning systems, expanding infrastructure, increasing export quality production, and ensuring support for Dehkan farmers were identified as critical priorities for building a more resilient food system.

Uzbekistan’s policy landscape is evolving rapidly, with key frameworks such as the Agriculture Development Strategy 2020–2030, the Law on Food Security (2025), NDC 3.0, National Adaptation Plan priorities, and emerging monitoring and early warning systems providing a strong foundation for transformation.

At the same time, participants emphasized that the country is moving beyond a narrow focus on production. The central challenge now is to manage trade-offs across water use, emissions, affordability, nutrition and rural livelihoods, while strengthening synergies across sectors.

One takeaway from the workshop stood out: Uzbekistan does not need separate food and climate agendas – it needs one integrated system that connects them.

Strengthening coordination, data and early warning systems

Mr. Nuriddin Kushnazarov, Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, highlighted the country’s reform progress:

“Uzbekistan has undertaken significant reforms to modernize its agricultural sector and strengthen food security. Our Agriculture Development Strategy 2020–2030, together with the Presidential Decrees on strengthening food security, provide a clear and ambitious framework to ensure sustainable production, improve nutrition outcomes, and enhance resilience.

Importantly, Uzbekistan has also established a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for food security, including the Law on Food Security (2025). However, several challenges remain, including the need to strengthen institutional coordination and improve data integration across ministries, as well as to further align food systems policies with climate action.”

Participants identified fragmented coordination mechanisms as a key gap, alongside data systems that remain dispersed across institutions. Strengthening integrated governance, shared monitoring and early warning systems was highlighted as essential to improve risk anticipation and response, including for climate variability, pests, food safety risks and market disruptions.

A platform for alignment and integrated solutions

Dr. Sabine Machl, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan, emphasized the importance of integrated approaches:

“The United Nations, through its 2026–2030 Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, provides the foundation for our joint work in Uzbekistan. Addressing today’s challenges requires moving beyond sectoral approaches toward more integrated solutions that bring together agriculture, environment, health and economic development.

Facilitated by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, the Convergence Initiative provides a timely and practical platform to support this shift by helping to align food systems objectives with climate action goals.”

The initiative supports countries in strengthening policy coherence and coordination, while advancing whole-of-government and whole-of-society engagement.

Defining priority areas for convergence

Over the two days, participants discussed key trends shaping Uzbekistan’s food systems and jointly developed a Vision 2040 for a climate-resilient, water-efficient and nutrition-sensitive food system.

Building on this vision, six priority areas for action were identified:

• Integrated governance and shared monitoring systems
• Water productivity and climate-smart agriculture
• Food affordability, nutrition and food safety
• Financeable agriculture–water investment pipeline
• Resilient food value chains, including processing, storage, logistics and market access
• Land restoration, forestry resilience and bioeconomy development

Relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Water Resources, the National Center for Climate Change under the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Health, contributed perspectives on water management, transboundary water issues, NDC 3.0 priorities, and food safety and nutrition.

Mr. Sherzod Umarov, Assistant Representative of FAO in Uzbekistan, noted:

“A central element of this work is strengthening policy coordination between environmental and agricultural sectors. The Convergence Initiative provides a structured platform to connect policies, investments and implementation across sectors, supporting countries in moving from fragmented approaches toward coherent and integrated agrifood systems transformation.”

With strong leadership from the Ministry of Agriculture, and continued support from FAO, the United Nations system and partners, Uzbekistan is well positioned to advance a more coherent and integrated approach to food systems transformation.

The Convergence Initiative supports stronger coordination, improved resilience, and closer alignment between food systems and climate action. As the country moves forward, the development of a Convergence Action Blueprint will provide a practical framework to guide implementation, strengthen institutional coordination, and mobilise resources and investments.