Uzbekistan Discusses Launch of ANORA Investment Platform
Uzbekistan and international partners discussed the launch of the ANORA platform to support resilient agriculture, green investment and food security.
Uzbekistan's Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, convened an online meeting with partners to deliberate on the operational launch of the ANORA (Agrifood Investment Opportunities for Resilient Agriculture) platform.
The primary objective of the gathering was to transition the platform into active use and foster stronger collaboration among governmental bodies, international financial institutions, development partners, and donor organizations.
During the session, N. Kushnazarov, an adviser to the Minister of Agriculture, along with representatives from the project office, detailed the critical areas for reforming Uzbekistan's agrifood system and highlighted the investment requirements of the sector. Representatives from the EBRD and the FAO Investment Centre subsequently presented the operational framework of the ANORA platform, its core focus areas, and potential avenues for international collaboration.
The discussion drew participation from a wide array of stakeholders, including representatives from the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Agency for Agribusiness Development, and commercial banks. Also present were delegates from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the FAO, the Global Environment Facility, the Green Climate Fund, the Global Green Growth Institute, the United Nations Development Programme, GIZ, the European Union, Uzbekistan's embassies in Germany and the United Kingdom, and over 20 other international organizations and development partners.
Key topics of discussion included the creation of an investment project portfolio under the ANORA platform, securing financial and technical assistance, ensuring food security, optimizing water resource management, and advancing climate-resilient agricultural practices.
The meeting concluded with participants reaching a consensus on the subsequent phases of the platform's implementation, its strategic priorities, and the mechanisms for ongoing cooperation.
According to the organizers, the introduction of the ANORA platform is anticipated to facilitate the attraction of green investments and further solidify enduring partnerships between government entities, international financial institutions, and development partners.