Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan took part in the first meeting of the Community of Practice on Agricultural Insurance and Agrifinance, held from June 11 to 13, 2025, in Ethiopia. The event was organized with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and involved participation from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Community of Practice serves as a platform for knowledge exchange under the global UNDP initiative Financial Resilience in Agriculture. This initiative aims to support the development of innovative insurance products and financial instruments, particularly those designed to protect vulnerable populations and promote the sustainable development of agricultural insurance systems.

Uzbekistan’s participation in the meeting and international conference on agricultural insurance marks an important step toward learning from advanced international experience, sharing expertise, and establishing partnerships with countries actively developing their own agri-insurance systems. Participants included government officials, regulators, and representatives from India, China, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Senegal, Tanzania, Kenya, Ecuador, Jordan, Burkina Faso, and others.

During the conference, delegates from UNDP Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Agriculture explored the work of the UNDP’s Financial Resilience in Agriculture program and discussed the potential for Uzbekistan to formally join the initiative. A key part of the visit was a series of bilateral meetings with representatives of relevant ministries and insurance institutions from countries such as China, India, and Ethiopia. These meetings facilitated experience sharing and outlined opportunities for future cooperation.

Ilkhom Juraev, Head of the Department for Clusters and Agribusiness Relations at the Ministry of Agriculture, noted that the event provided valuable insight into effective international practices for the digitalization of agricultural insurance and helped establish links with global players in the insurance market. He emphasized that Uzbekistan is committed to working closely with partners to mitigate climate-related risks and further develop its national agri-insurance system.

Uzbekistan’s participation in the event was made possible through the support of the global UNDP project Implementation of Risk Insurance and Financing Mechanisms in Uzbekistan, funded by the Government of Germany. This project offers comprehensive support for reforms in the country’s insurance sector — from integrating insurance policy into economic development, to attracting investment, expanding inclusive insurance, and developing systems to manage climate and natural risks.

The outcomes of the Community of Practice meeting laid a strong foundation for expanding international cooperation, implementing sustainable agrifinance solutions, and strengthening Uzbekistan’s position on the global agricultural insurance stage.