Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- As part of the 21st meeting of the Committee to Review the Implementation of the UN Convention on Desertification (CRIC-21), Minister of Ecology Aziz Abdukhakimov held a bilateral meeting with the Chairman of the UN coalition to combat sand and dust storms, Feras Ziadat.

At the meeting, issues of cooperation between the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the field of research on land degradation and sustainable land management, including the exchange of experience and the implementation of joint research activities in the regions were discussed Uzbekistan with an increased risk of sand and dust storms (SDS).

During the meeting, it was noted that in September of this year the Samarkand Declaration on Food Security was adopted in Samarkand, which determined the main directions of international cooperation to ensure global food security. The declaration aims to combat climate change, water resource depletion and land degradation.

The Samarkand Declaration consolidated the agreements that were reached following the results of the International Conference on Food Security, organized by the government of Uzbekistan with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The event took place on 7-8 September with the participation of ministers of agriculture from 15 countries, deputy ministers of 8 countries, senior diplomats from 13 countries and representatives of over 30 international and scientific organizations, as well as financial institutions.

During the meeting, it was noted that sand and dust storms observed in the spring-autumn period in Bukhara, Surkhandarya and Tashkent regions as a result of Iranian and Afghan winds harm the health of the population and wildlife.

The FAO Chair noted that dust and sandstorms are a transboundary problem that is becoming increasingly important. The negative impacts therefore particularly affect farmers and people whose livelihoods are directly dependent on natural resources and agriculture, especially in dry regions.

In order to reduce the impact of the SDS, the sides agreed to develop specific methodologies, conduct scientific research and implement important strategic directions in cooperation with FAO and the UN coalition to combat sand and dust storms.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached on the participation of the Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations at the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (COP-14, on 12-17 February 2024) and at the Samarkand Climate Forum (on 17-18 March 2024).