FAO's highest award goes to Mirziyoyev as Uzbekistan wins first seat on FAO Council

On 6 October FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu presented Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev with the Agricola Medal, the organisation's highest award, in recognition of his initiatives in food security, agriculture and water management.

Established in 1977, the Agricola Medal honours those who serve universal goals such as ending hunger and ensuring food security.

The meeting noted that Uzbekistan has been elected to the FAO Council for the first time (for 2028–2029) and that an agro-innovation hub for landlocked countries has opened in Tashkent. Uzbekistan and FAO are currently implementing 27 joint projects under a newly adopted five-year partnership programme, with future cooperation to focus on digitalisation, artificial intelligence and climate finance in agriculture.