On March 23–24, 2026, the Forum «Italy – Central Asia – Azerbaijan» was held in Tashkent under the theme «Innovation, regenerative agriculture and digitalization for sustainable agroecosystems». The Kazakh delegation was headed by the Vice-minister of Agriculture Yermeк Kenjekhanuly.

Participants of the Forum discussed prospects for deepening cooperation in the agricultural sector, including ensuring food security, digitalization of the agro-industrial complex, introduction of innovative technologies, and rational use of water resources. Particular attention was paid to the development of mutual trade, implementation of joint investment projects, and expansion of the region’s export potential.

Following the Forum, the heads of delegations from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, and Italy signed a joint Communiqué, as well as a Declaration on the establishment of a Eurasian University and a Research Alliance in the fields of climate resilience, food security, and food technologies.

Within the framework of the event, a meeting was held between the Vice-minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan Y. Kenjekhanuly and the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan I. Abdurakhmonov. During the negotiations, the parties discussed the current state of bilateral relations in the agricultural sector. It was noted that out of the total agricultural trade turnover in Central Asia amounting to 3.6 billion US dollars, Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan trade accounts for 2.2 billion US dollars. The parties paid special attention to cooperation issues, particularly the processing of grain, legumes, and oilseeds, as well as expanding the production of meat and dairy products. It was emphasized that the agreements reached provide additional momentum to the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and lay the foundation for long-term cooperation.

In addition, a meeting was held between the head of the Kazakh delegation and Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, F. Lollobrigida, during which prospects for developing bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector were discussed, including the implementation of joint investment projects, expansion of trade and economic ties, and the introduction of modern agrotechnologies.

Negotiations were also held with the representatives of leading Italian companies such as «SIMEST», «Diagram», and others. The parties discussed prospects for increasing exports of Kazakh agricultural products (wheat, meat, fish) to the Italian market, as well as implementing joint investment projects with the involvement of Italian capital. Special attention was given to technology transfer, localization of production, and the creation of high value-added products. As a result of the meeting, agreements were reached on the practical elaboration of initiatives and the intensification of bilateral cooperation.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-tashkent/press/news/details/1187163?lang=kk