Baku:The First Azerbaijan Regional Aquaculture Forum, held in Baku, was organized by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Agriculture. The forum addressed the current state and future prospects of fisheries and aquaculture, government support mechanisms, regional cooperation, and the conservation of aquatic bioresources.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the event gathered government officials, representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), delegates from Türkiye, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, as well as representatives from international organizations, industry experts, and the private sector.
During the forum, Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov emphasized institutional efforts, development potential, and key priorities for advancing fisheries and aquaculture in Azerbaijan. He highlighted the importance of protecting fish stocks, modernizing infrastructure, introducing advanced technologies, and attracting investments. The minister also discussed the 2026-2030 State Programme, which aims to increase annual aquaculture production from 3,400 to 7,700 tons by 2030, and the need for strengthened cooperation among public sectors, businesses, academia, and regional partners to ensure food security, reduce import dependence, and create regional jobs.
Tahir Rzayev, Chair of the Milli Majlis Committee on Agrarian Policy, stressed the significance of food security as a national security component, noting efforts to enhance the legal framework for fisheries and aquaculture and the importance of preventing illegal fishing and strengthening oversight.
Latif Gasimov, Head of the Agricultural and Environmental Affairs Department at the Office of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan, focused on the State Programme's role in expanding aquaculture production, integrating modern technologies, and enhancing global value chain integration. He underscored the importance of digital monitoring, protecting local fish species and the Caspian Sea's aquatic resources, and developing aquaculture clusters in the liberated Garabagh and East Zangezur economic regions.
Nabil Gangi, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture for organizing the forum. He highlighted aquaculture's contribution to food security and rural development, emphasizing climate-resilient practices, modern technologies, and data-driven management, and reaffirmed FAO's commitment to supporting Azerbaijan's sustainable aquaculture sector development.
The forum featured recognition of outstanding fisheries and aquaculture enterprises with awards, alongside a video presentation detailing the sector's achievements and future objectives. Panel discussions continued to explore national priorities, regional cooperation, fish stock conservation, regulatory frameworks, and the private sector's role in aquaculture development.