President Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations' (FAO) highest award, the Agricola medal, on October 6 at a meeting with FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, the head of state's press service said.
The award was presented in recognition of the president's initiatives and achievements in ensuring food security and developing agriculture and water management, the statement said.
FAO established the Agricola medal in 1977. It honors prominent figures for their commitment and practical action to eradicate hunger and ensure food security.
Qu arrived in Uzbekistan to attend an international conference marking World Cotton Day and the Second Forum on the Development of Agrifood Systems in Landlocked Developing Countries.
The meeting discussed Uzbekistan's cooperation with FAO. In December 2025, the sides adopted a new five-year partnership program, and 27 joint projects are now in active implementation.
Uzbekistan has been elected to the FAO Council for 2028-2029 for the first time. An Agro-Innovation Hub for landlocked countries is also scheduled to launch in Tashkent on October 7.
Digitalization and the deployment of artificial intelligence in agriculture, attracting climate financing, exchanging experience and training specialists were named as areas for further joint work.
