Pakistan Engages Kazakhstan, Crop Trust on Food Security at Global Forum in Berlin

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain arrived in Berlin to attend the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) 2026, being held from January 14 to 17. Hosted annually by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the forum brings together global leaders and policymakers to promote cooperation on food security, sustainable agriculture, innovation, and climate resilience.

On the sidelines of the forum, the minister held a constructive meeting with Azat Sultanov, Vice Minister for Agriculture of Kazakhstan, during which both sides discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture and food security. The Pakistani side stressed the importance of practical partnerships aimed at improving productivity, enhancing resilience, and developing agricultural value chains. Kazakhstan expressed readiness to expand engagement through structured collaboration between relevant institutions and technical bodies.

Mr Sultanov welcomed Pakistan’s participation at GFFA 2026 and underscored Kazakhstan’s interest in deepening cooperation in areas of mutual benefit. He highlighted the importance of sustained institutional linkages and regular technical-level engagement to translate shared priorities into tangible outcomes. The discussions also explored opportunities for cooperation in knowledge-sharing, modern farming practices, and improved farm productivity.

In a separate meeting, Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain met Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director of the Crop Trust, to discuss collaboration on conserving and utilizing crop diversity as a key pillar for strengthening food systems against climate change. The minister appreciated Crop Trust’s support for conservation and improvement of crop diversity in Pakistan, particularly efforts aimed at developing climate-resilient crop varieties. He also invited the organization to consider establishing an office in Pakistan to further deepen cooperation in research and development.

Mr Schmitz commended Pakistan’s focus on climate resilience and noted that protecting crop diversity is vital for long-term food security, improved nutrition, and the ability to respond to challenges such as heat stress, drought, pests, and diseases. He expressed Crop Trust’s willingness to expand engagement with Pakistani institutions in areas including conservation systems, research linkages, and the translation of genetic resources into practical solutions for farmers. He also emphasized the importance of strong partnerships with national stakeholders to ensure sustained impact, capacity-building, and effective knowledge transfer.

Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain said Pakistan’s participation at GFFA 2026 reflects the government’s commitment to climate-smart agriculture, innovation, sustainable resource management, and strong international partnerships. Pakistan’s delegation will continue to take part in plenary discussions, thematic sessions, and ministerial engagements throughout the forum to advance national priorities and benefit from global best practices.