Baku hosts First Azerbaijan Regional Aquaculture Forum
Baku, November 5, AZERTAC
The First Azerbaijan Regional Aquaculture Forum was held in Baku.
Organized by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Agriculture, the forum focused on the current state and prospects of fisheries and aquaculture, government support mechanisms, regional cooperation, and the conservation of aquatic bioresources.
The event brought together government officials, representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), delegates from Türkiye, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, representatives of international organizations, industry experts, and private sector representatives.
Addressing the forum, Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov highlighted institutional efforts, development potential, and key priorities for advancing fisheries and aquaculture in Azerbaijan. He stressed the importance of protecting fish stocks, modernizing infrastructure, introducing advanced technologies, and attracting investment.
The minister noted that the 2026–2030 State Programme aims to increase annual aquaculture production from 3,400 to 7,700 tons by 2030. He emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation among the public sector, businesses, academia, and regional partners. He also noted that the forum would contribute to ensuring food security, reducing dependence on imports, and creating jobs in the regions.
Tahir Rzayev, Chair of the Milli Majlis Committee on Agrarian Policy, highlighted the importance of food security as a key component of national security. He outlined efforts to improve the legal framework governing fisheries and aquaculture, stressing the need to prevent illegal fishing and strengthen oversight.
Latif Gasimov, Head of the Agricultural and Environmental Affairs Department at the Office of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan, emphasized the role of the State Programme in expanding aquaculture production, introducing modern technologies, and integrating the sector into global value chains. He also highlighted 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, thanked the Ministry of Agriculture for organizing the forum and highlighted aquaculture’s contribution to food security and rural development. He stressed the importance of climate-resilient practices, modern technologies, and data-driven management, reaffirming FAO’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Azerbaijan and supporting the sustainable development of the country’s aquaculture sector.
During the forum, outstanding fisheries and aquaculture enterprises were recognized with awards, and a video highlighting the sector’s achievements and future objectives was screened.
The forum continued with panel discussions focusing on national priorities, regional cooperation, fish stock conservation, the regulatory framework, and the role of the private sector in aquaculture development.
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