Astana International Forum: FAO calls for increased investment to unlock Central Asia`s potential and address regional challenges

Figure: FAO Director-General QU Dongyu spoke at the opening session of the Astana International Forum hosted by the Government of Kazakhstan. ©Press Service of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

FAO 29/05/2025

Astana - QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today urged immediate action on water conservation, transboundary cooperation, and sustainable agricultural practices to safeguard Central Asia’s future.

Speaking at the opening session of the Astana International Forum – a regional and international dialogue platform hosted by the Government of Kazakhstan –, QU said: “Water security is a pillar of agrifood systems, yet it is under increasing threat due to scarcity, pollution, and weak infrastructure.”

With vast land resources, rich agrobiodiversity, and strategic geographic location, Central Asia has enormous potential to transform its agrifood systems into drivers of sustainability, resilience, and better life. This transformation, QU noted, is critical not only for the region, but for the broader Eurasian continent and beyond.

To realize this potential and address mounting challenges, QU called for increased investment in innovation, water infrastructure, and inclusive development.

Tackling the affordability gap

The FAO Director-General also highlighted that nearly 64 million people across the Europe and Central Asian still cannot afford a healthy diet, with Central Asia recording the highest rate of unaffordability at 16.3 percent.

He stressed the need for collective action, urging governments, the private sector, civil society, and the international community to catalyse change. “The cost of inaction far exceeds the cost of action,” Qu said.

He commended Kazakhstan’s ambition to serve as a regional food hub, recognizing its commitment to food security, sustainability, and regional and international cooperation.

The Director-General also spotlighted the FAO–Kazakhstan Partnership Programme, a 10-year initiative that will, he said further support and accelerate agrifood transformation to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.

See: https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/astana-forum-fao-urges-increased-investment-unlock-potential/en