This event was organized as part of the Asian Development Bank's initiative aimed at developing green skills in the context of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program. Representatives from Wageningen University (Netherlands) and agricultural as well as technical universities from nine countries in the region participated, including Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, which was represented by KNAU named after K.I. Skryabin.
The main objective of the seminar was to strengthen cooperation and integration in the region through more effective management and distribution of human resources, which aligns with the CAREC Strategy 2030 and the Operational Plan until 2030.
As part of the event, a signing ceremony for a Cooperation Agreement took place, involving agricultural universities from CAREC countries, the Asian Development Bank, and Wageningen University. This document aims to develop interaction and strengthen partnerships in the field of sustainable and climate-optimized agriculture.
Various aspects were discussed at the seminar, including academic activities, where Vitaly Kopnov (KNAU) presented, as well as the "Regional Center for Green Agriculture" presented by Shukhrat Shokirov from the National Research University "Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers." In the field of research activities, topics related to climate-optimized agriculture, the implementation of CSA practices, and integrated pest management were discussed, moderated by Tirze Hermans from Wageningen University. Aspects of outreach activities were also considered, such as pasture management and drought-resistant crop cultivation technologies, presented by Herman Snell. Rectors and representatives of partner universities offered their recommendations for improving these areas.
At the end of the seminar, participants noted the high productivity of collaborative work, the importance of experience exchange, and the necessity of creating a regional network for the development of "green" skills and sustainable agriculture.
