UNDP facilitates climate change mainstreaming into legal basis of food quality and safety

June 8, 2023
Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan

Today, the crises and events occurring in different continents of the world are of equal concern to the people of all countries. In particular, issues of environmental protection and food security of the population have become one of the most urgent tasks facing the world community in the context of climate change.

On 8 June, 2023 the international scientific-practical conference on "Green climate and legal issues of ensuring the quality and safety of food products" held at the Tashkent State  University of Law together with the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the UNDP, in the frame of EU-funded Climate Change and Resilience in Central Asia regional project. Over 35 representatives of several international organizations operating in the field of environment and natural resource management, of the ministry and other state agencies, NGOs and mass mediatook part in the conference. The professors and researchers from EU countries, USA and local educational institutionspresented topics and shared experience during conference work.

Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan

In opening speech Mr. Islombek Rustambekov, acting rector of Tashkent State Law University, noted: “The Republic of Uzbekistan had nationalized the SDGs. Therefore, eliminating poverty, ending hunger, achieving health and well-beingcan only be achieved by ensuring food security. Quality and safe food products will be available in environmentally friendly conditions. Goal 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals aims to combat climate change. Today, the economy of many countries of the world, including the agricultural sector (agrarian sector), is suffering from the consequences of climate change”. 

Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan

Systematic measures in these areas are being implemented in the Republic of Uzbekistan. In particular, Uzbekistan is a member UNFCCC, Alimentarius Code and ratified the Paris Agreement. In the updated Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan dedicated a separate chapter on the environmental rights of citizens. In addition, the New Uzbekistan Development Strategy of the Republic of attaches particular importance to ensuring environmental stability, combating the degradation of agricultural land, the economical use of water resources in this area, and the development of "organic" agriculture.

Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan

During the working session, the EU’s “Farm to Fork” strategy, Ecological Code of Kazakhstan and the Water-Energy-Food NEXUS approach were suggested to address existing climate risks to ensure food quality and safety.

Furthermore, highlighted importance of recently developing the Climate Change Strategy of Uzbekistan by 2030, Ecological Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on climate adaptation and food security issues.