A delegation from Uzbekistan, consisting of representatives from relevant ministries and departments, visited Azerbaijan from August 25 to 28 to exchange experiences in modern food safety management systems. The visit was organized with the support of the Representative Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Uzbekistan.

The delegation included representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Veterinary Committee, the Agency of Plant Protection and Quarantine, the Customs Committee, the Accounting Chamber, and the Agency for Strategic Reforms under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

A delegation led by Nurmat Atabekov, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Wellbeing and Public Health under the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, visited the Food Security Agency of Azerbaijan on August 25. During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for cooperation and exchanged experiences in food safety, plant protection, and veterinary medicine.

Deputy Chairman of the Agency Zakiya Mustafayeva noted that in recent years, relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have been consistently developing through mutual visits, signed agreements, and joint initiatives.

The Uzbekistan delegation was informed about the reforms in Azerbaijan in food security, the introduction of risk-based approaches to inspections, crisis management mechanisms, and early warning systems.

During the presentations, such issues as control and inspection procedures, including the use of HACCP (hazard analysis and critical control points), requirements for the import and export of food products, registration of new types of products, food additives, pesticides, veterinary drugs and feed additives, the functioning of the national digital AQTIS – Automated Food Safety Information System; interaction with public and media, preparation of information and explanatory materials, were also touched upon.

During the visit, a meeting was held at the Institute of Food Security of Azerbaijan, as well as a visit to border inspection points and laboratories, which allowed the Uzbekistan delegation to become acquainted with the application of the single window model in the practical control of food imports and exports.

By studying the experience of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan is taking significant steps towards improving consumer protection, ensuring access to safe products, and strengthening competitiveness in international markets.

M.Pirmatova, UzA