On 22 January 2026, the international conference “Health and Nutrition in a Changing Climate” was held in Ashgabat, focusing on food security, climate resilience and the impacts of climate change on human health and ecosystems.
The event brought together representatives of Central Asian countries, international organizations and experts, reflecting strong regional commitment to addressing climate-related food and health risks.
The conference was opened by Dmitry Shlapachenko, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, who also moderated the plenary session. Ministers responsible for agriculture, health and environmental protection of Turkmenistan, as well as senior officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, participated in the discussions.
The high-level engagement highlighted the region’s strategic interest in strengthening food security, climate resilience and public health systems.
The One Health approach under climate pressure
A dedicated session explored the One Health approach as a key framework for transforming agri-food systems in the context of climate change. The session was moderated by Sinai Netanyahu, Senior Adviser on Nature and Health at the WHO European Centre, with contributions from experts representing FAO, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), CAREC and FAO/IAEA.
Speakers emphasized that climate change is intensifying pressures on ecosystems, animals and human health, increasing zoonotic disease risks, driving the emergence of new pathogens and altering disease distribution patterns. Ensuring food system resilience requires effective animal health management, food safety controls and integrated environmental governance.
Another session highlighted regional initiatives across Central Asia, including projects implemented by FAO, UNEP, UNDP and GIZ, as well as national initiatives aimed at sustainable agriculture and natural resource management.
A regional One Health programme, funded by the World Bank, is currently being implemented in Central Asia to address pandemic prevention, food system resilience and ecosystem health. The programme is jointly delivered by FAO, WHO, WOAH and UNEP, with the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) serving as the coordinating partner.
📌 Source: Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC)
