On 12 August 2021, Dushanbe hosted the 6th Meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture of the SCO Member States. The meeting held online was attended by the SCO ministries and agencies responsible for food security, veterinary and phytosanitary issues.
Among the meeting participants were: Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of the Republic of India Shri Narendra Singh Tomar; Acting Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazahkstan Yerbol Karashukeyev; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China Li Jinxiang; Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Regional Development of the Kyrgyz Republic Askarbek Dzhanybekov; Minister of National Food Security and Research of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Syed Fakhar Imam; Acting Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Oksana Lut; Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Tajikistan Ziyozoda Rizoi; Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev; SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov and Vladimir Rakhmanin, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia.
The delegation heads said that this was an anniversary year for the SCO. Over the twenty years, the organisation has achieved significant success in all areas and proved itself to be a reputable international platform in the region and beyond.
During the meeting, the delegation heads exchanged opinions on food security in the SCO member states and noted the importance of boosting joint efforts to counter the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the agricultural sector.
They also voiced proposals on promising cooperation areas in agriculture and food security within the SCO and praised the cooperation between the SCO member states and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.
The delegation heads approved the draft Joint Statement of SCO Member States on Food Security and agreed to submit it to the SCO Council of Heads of State.
Participants in the meeting adopted the Plan on Practical Implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between authorised agencies of the SCO member states on technical cooperation on preventing and combating cross-border epizootic diseases. They also noted the importance of enhancing cooperation between the SCO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
The delegation heads approved the Concept of Creating the SCO Demonstration Base on Exchange and Agrarian Technology Training, and welcome its implementation in mutually agreed areas based on voluntarism and equality.
The meeting was held in a businesslike and constructive atmosphere, in the spirit of friendship, mutual trust and cooperation.