H.E. Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), met with H.E. Majnun Mammadov, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 26 September 2023 in Baku on the margins of the 2nd meeting of Ministers of Agriculture of the OTS.
Secretary General Omuraliev delivered a thorough overview of significant developments in the field of agricultural cooperation. He encapsulated the outcomes of the 3rd meeting held by the Working Group on agricultural cooperation within the OTS, which transpired a day earlier on September 25th, 2023.
In addition, Secretary General Omuraliev provided detailed information on the ongoing initiatives and projects operating within the sphere of agriculture. Notably, among these endeavors, was the OTS agreement centered around food security. This agreement underscored the organization's unwavering dedication to establishing a secure and dependable food supply chain for all its member states. He also briefly addressed the OTS's fruitful collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), emphasizing the common objectives shared between the two organizations, focusing on the enhancement of food security and the promotion of sustainability within the agricultural domain.
Furthermore, Secretary General Omuraliev presented insights into the OTS Drought Prevention Institute's prospective plans, shedding light on its potential to alleviate the adverse consequences of drought within the region through collaborative and concerted efforts.
Minister Mammadov expressed the strong commitment of Azerbaijan to deepening collaboration within the OTS as Azerbaijan views its engagement within the OTS as central to its policy agenda. In a proactive move, the Minister has put forth an innovative proposal within the OTS framework suggesting the establishment of an "Agro-Capital of the OTS" initiative, wherein member states would take turns designating a city as the focal point for agricultural activities on a rotational basis. This initiative aims to bring increased visibility and attention to the agricultural sector within the OTS, ultimately fostering greater engagement among business leaders and entrepreneurs from OTS member countries.
Another noteworthy proposal raised by the Azerbaijani Minister revolves around the creation of a distinct "OTS Made" standard for agricultural and food products, which would serve as a quality benchmark, ensuring that products originating from OTS member states meet specific criteria for excellence. To develop this standard comprehensively, the involvement of experts is envisaged, thus ensuring that it aligns with international best practices and is conducive to promoting the region's agricultural products on the global stage.
In a bid to enhance transparency and accessibility in the agricultural sector, the Minister proposed the establishment of a data-driven digital agro data platform, which would provide open access to a wide range of agricultural data, making valuable information readily available to all stakeholders.
Secretary General Omuraliev and Minister Mammadov both recognized the significant opportunities that exist in fostering collaborative efforts within the agricultural sector through multilateral cooperation. They emphasized the importance of accelerating joint initiatives in the near future, with a specific emphasis on advancing the proposals put forth by Azerbaijan.
Secretary General Omuraliev delivered a thorough overview of significant developments in the field of agricultural cooperation. He encapsulated the outcomes of the 3rd meeting held by the Working Group on agricultural cooperation within the OTS, which transpired a day earlier on September 25th, 2023.
In addition, Secretary General Omuraliev provided detailed information on the ongoing initiatives and projects operating within the sphere of agriculture. Notably, among these endeavors, was the OTS agreement centered around food security. This agreement underscored the organization's unwavering dedication to establishing a secure and dependable food supply chain for all its member states. He also briefly addressed the OTS's fruitful collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), emphasizing the common objectives shared between the two organizations, focusing on the enhancement of food security and the promotion of sustainability within the agricultural domain.
Furthermore, Secretary General Omuraliev presented insights into the OTS Drought Prevention Institute's prospective plans, shedding light on its potential to alleviate the adverse consequences of drought within the region through collaborative and concerted efforts.
Minister Mammadov expressed the strong commitment of Azerbaijan to deepening collaboration within the OTS as Azerbaijan views its engagement within the OTS as central to its policy agenda. In a proactive move, the Minister has put forth an innovative proposal within the OTS framework suggesting the establishment of an "Agro-Capital of the OTS" initiative, wherein member states would take turns designating a city as the focal point for agricultural activities on a rotational basis. This initiative aims to bring increased visibility and attention to the agricultural sector within the OTS, ultimately fostering greater engagement among business leaders and entrepreneurs from OTS member countries.
Another noteworthy proposal raised by the Azerbaijani Minister revolves around the creation of a distinct "OTS Made" standard for agricultural and food products, which would serve as a quality benchmark, ensuring that products originating from OTS member states meet specific criteria for excellence. To develop this standard comprehensively, the involvement of experts is envisaged, thus ensuring that it aligns with international best practices and is conducive to promoting the region's agricultural products on the global stage.
In a bid to enhance transparency and accessibility in the agricultural sector, the Minister proposed the establishment of a data-driven digital agro data platform, which would provide open access to a wide range of agricultural data, making valuable information readily available to all stakeholders.
Secretary General Omuraliev and Minister Mammadov both recognized the significant opportunities that exist in fostering collaborative efforts within the agricultural sector through multilateral cooperation. They emphasized the importance of accelerating joint initiatives in the near future, with a specific emphasis on advancing the proposals put forth by Azerbaijan.
