FAO and Azerbaijani government launch partnership programme

The event gathered together representatives of the government agencies and the United Nations. As part of the partnership framework, FAO and Azerbaijani government will implement projects on development and application of the sustainable sheep production and food value chains; improvement of cattle production through the establishment of effective cattle breeding and feeding systems; and the establishment of the national disease-free seed potato production system and development of the hazelnut industry in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan and FAO have implemented 53 projects in the last 23 years. The implementation of another six projects are underway and four are planned to commence soon.

Speaking at the event, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia Vladimir Rakhmanin noted that the partnership between Azerbaijan and FAO successfully developed over the past 20 years paving the way to the opening of the FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in Baku.

An agreement on the establishment of FAO-Azerbaijan Partnership Programme (FAPP) was signed in May 2015, during FAO Director-General’s visit to the country and a US$10 million cooperation framework was set up for 2016-2020.