The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan are implementing the project “Support to the Land Code Revision”.

As part of this project, a delegation of international experts conducted extensive discussions to improve the legal framework in land relations and land use in Uzbekistan. This technical cooperation project is aimed at modernizing Uzbekistan’s land management system in accordance with international best practices, improving legal mechanisms in the field of land relations and use, strengthening land rights protection, and effectively developing the agricultural land market.

The FAO international expert team – Morten Hartvigsen, Bradley Paterson, and Tomas Versinskas – held numerous meetings with national stakeholders during their visit to Uzbekistan. The delegation held meetings with specialists of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Agency for Strategic Reforms under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Justice, the Council of Farmers of Uzbekistan, and the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

“This mission represents an important step in our collaborative efforts to modernize Uzbekistan’s agricultural land management system”, said Project Coordinator Nariman Nishanov. “The recommendations provided by FAO experts will play a crucial role in aligning land reforms with international standards while implementing national priority objectives”.

Based on the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT), the project focuses on ensuring equity, transparency, and public participation. The experts examined agricultural land management practices in Oqoltin and Sardoba districts of Syrdarya region.

The recommendations developed as a result of analysis and consultations will contribute to improving Uzbekistan’s land legislation, supporting the country’s economic development goals and sustainable land management practices.

This FAO initiative is an integral part of long-term cooperation aimed at effectively implementing land reforms in Uzbekistan, strengthening the legal framework, and enhancing international cooperation.

Bekhruz Khudoyberdiyev, UzA