Youth of Uzbekistan at the World Food Forum: International Dialogue, Experience Exchange, and New Initiatives
The World Food Forum 2026 is taking place at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome. The forum brings together youth, experts, and partners to develop sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems capable of withstanding the impacts of climate change. The forum was attended by Deputy FAO Representative in Uzbekistan Sherzod Umarov, employees of the country's government organizations, young specialists, and representatives of the national […]
Uzbekistan's youth at the World Food Forum: international dialogue, exchange of experience, and new initiatives
The World Food Forum 2026 is taking place at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome. It brings together youth, experts, and partners to foster sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems capable of withstanding the impacts of climate change.
The forum was attended by Sherzod Umarov, Assistant FAO Representative in Uzbekistan, officials from the country's government organizations, young specialists, and representatives of the WFF national youth chapter in Uzbekistan. They engaged in international discussions on the development of agrifood systems, presented national experience and initiatives, and exchanged knowledge with delegates from other countries.
During the opening ceremony of the Global Youth Forum, the launch of 35 new national youth chapters was officially announced, with representatives receiving certificates. It was noted that the WFF network unites more than 100 national chapters worldwide. Over the course of the forum, youth leaders from various countries, including Shovkat Kholdorov, Coordinator of the WFF national youth chapter in Uzbekistan, shared their experience in implementing local initiatives in food security, sustainable agriculture, and climate, as well as discussed opportunities for expanding international cooperation.
The WFF national youth chapter in Uzbekistan was established in 2025 on the initiative of young activists in collaboration with the FAO Representation in Uzbekistan and with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and partner organizations. It became the first WFF national youth chapter in Central Asia.
As part of the forum, the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia and the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific organized an interregional dialogue dedicated to the future of young pastoralists. Representatives of WFF national youth chapters from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Nepal, and Bhutan presented the results of national consultations and discussed policy recommendations, partnership opportunities, and investments to support pastoral communities.
Uzbekistan was represented at the dialogue by Akhmadjon Nurullaev, Chief Specialist at the Social Policy Laboratory of the International Agriculture University, who presented the findings of the national consultations. According to the reported data, 71 percent of the surveyed young pastoralists cited a decrease in productivity, while 58 percent reported losses related to livestock mortality. Nearly 70 percent of respondents identified limited access to water, veterinary services, and markets as a major obstacle. It was also emphasized that climate variability, restrictions on seasonal herd movements, insufficient security of tenure rights to pastures, and difficulties in accessing land and financial resources undermine income stability and the sustainability of young livestock keepers' operations.
In response to these challenges, the representative of Uzbekistan proposed developing a regional program to support young pastoralists. The proposal includes the formulation of pasture management plans.