Astana International Forum: FAO calls for increased investment to unlock Central Asia’s potential & address regional challenges | FAO News

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

Speaking at the opening session of the Astana International Forum – a regional & 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, & weak infrastructure.”

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

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

Tackling the affordability gap

The FAO Director-General also highlighted that nearly 64 million people across the Europe & 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, & 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, & regional & international cooperation.

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

Confronting climate extremes

At a separate FAO panel discussion on “Water Security as a Key Investment for Central Asia’s Sustainable Future”, the Director-General opened by describing the region’s growing exposure to climate extremes, rising water demand, & aging infrastructure. Floods & droughts are becoming more frequent & severe – costing lives, livelihoods & having a serious socio-economic-social impact, with nearly USD 14 billion in damage every year – he noted.

The Director-General underlined the transformative potential of digital tools, including artificial intelligence & ICT, & also urged International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to “invest wisely” to unlock a more sustainable & inclusive future through well- designed investment frameworks that align short-term action with long-term sustainability for a better life for all, Qu said.

FAO’s support to countries in the area of water security includes initiatives under the FAO Investment Centre, the Hand-in-Hand Initiative & the AQUASTAT global information system on water & agriculture.