Pakistan has underscored the immediate necessity of transforming global agrifood systems, highlighting the unprecedented pressures from climate change, economic volatility, and regional instability, during the 38th Ministerial Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific.
According to a statement today, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, presented Pakistan”s forward-looking national and global vision at the event, which was inaugurated by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah.
On the margins of the conference, the Pakistani minister conveyed warm greetings and best wishes to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah and the people of Brunei Darussalam, on behalf of the President, Prime Minister, and the populace of Pakistan.
He also engaged in bilateral discussions with his Bruneian counterpart, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism. These discussions focused on bolstering cooperation in key areas of mutual interest, including fisheries, aquaculture, agricultural technology transfer, livestock sector development, and the potential formation of a Joint Working Group on agricultural cooperation.
In his address, Minister Hussain praised the FAO Director-General”s leadership in pursuing innovative, science-driven solutions to global food insecurity. He reaffirmed the enduring relevance of FAO’s “Four Betters” framework – better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life – as a foundational guide for modernising agrifood systems amidst current global uncertainties.
The minister elaborated on the severe strain on agrifood systems, attributing it to the interconnected challenges of climate change, economic instability, energy disruptions, and regional conflicts. He stressed that these factors significantly inflate production costs, disrupt market stability, and compromise food affordability, thereby necessitating rapid transformation.
Reiterating Pakistan”s dedication, the minister affirmed agriculture”s pivotal role in the nation’s economy, livelihoods, and food supply. He detailed Pakistan”s ongoing collaboration with the FAO to enhance its agrifood infrastructure through improved water resource management, diversified cultivation methods, and the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices.
He highlighted the expanding integration of innovative approaches across the sector, including digital technologies, data-driven advisory services, and precision farming techniques to boost output and resource efficiency. Emphasising inclusivity, he noted Pakistan’s agenda prioritises smallholder cultivators, women, and young people, while strengthening extension services and value chains to facilitate broader economic participation.
The minister stressed that large-scale transformation necessitates unlocking investment aligned with strategic priorities. He indicated Pakistan is collaborating closely with the FAO to transition from fragmented initiatives to coherent, data-informed investment strategies designed to attract both public and private capital.
Through the FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative, Pakistan is identifying promising agricultural value chains and developing viable projects aimed at mitigating investment risks and ensuring tangible development outcomes. This includes FAO-Pakistan’s partnership with the Government for a National Hand-in-Hand Investment Summit on the olive and dairy sectors, in preparation for the FAO Investment Forum 2026.
Underscoring the One Health approach, the minister reaffirmed Pakistan”s commitment to addressing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental well-being. He mentioned ongoing efforts, in conjunction with the FAO and development partners, to improve integrated surveillance, diagnostic capabilities, and institutional coordination.
Pakistan is also advancing initiatives under the Global Partnership Programme for Transboundary Animal Diseases, focusing on preventative frameworks. National programmes against Foot-and-Mouth Disease, alongside animal identification and traceability systems, are being expanded to safeguard livestock output and promote safe trade.
The minister underlined that agrifood transformation requires strengthened regional cooperation, identifying opportunities across the Asia-Pacific for collaboration in sustainable fisheries, blue transformation, climate-smart agriculture, and bioeconomy development – all crucial pillars for long-term food security.
Concluding his address, the minister reiterated that the transformation of agrifood systems is an immediate imperative. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to collaborating closely with the FAO and Member States to accelerate progress via strategic partnerships, scientific innovation, and South-to-South cooperation.
‘By acting with urgency and shared responsibility, we can build agrifood systems that ensure food security, improve nutrition, protect our environment, and enhance livelihoods for all,’ he asserted.