I. Background and Rationale

The 'Workshop on Climate Smart Mechanization for Transforming Agriculture in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas' will seek to enhance capacity in addressing climate challenges and food insecurity in the drought-prone areas such as Central Asia and contribute towards the objectives of the Food Systems Summit which calls for pragmatic actions for improved global food systems. The workshop will gather and deliberate on the cutting-edge and innovative mechanization technologies and solutions for arid and semi-arid areas in enabling improved and sustainable agriculture with a focus on how innovative agricultural technologies can improve farmers' resilience to climate change in fight against drought attacks and support food systems transformation for developing countries with emphasis on smallholder farmers and vulnerable communities. The training workshop will be co-organized by the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) and the Sub-regional Office for North and Central Asia (SONCA) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the World Food Programme China Office, Administrative Committee of Yangling Agricultural High-Tech Industry Demonstration Zone of China and the International Poverty Reduction Center of China (IPRCC). The workshop will primarily be tailored to the needs and demands of Central Asian countries, but it will also be open to other interested countries and sub-regions.

II. Objectives

The workshop seeks to achieve the following objectives:

1) Disseminate the importance and advantages of climate-smart mechanization and the potential of cutting-edge technologies' in arid and semi-arid areas.

2) Expand awareness about the role of agricultural innovation in achieving food security.

3) Stimulate adoption of mechanized agricultural solutions and practices suitable for dryland agriculture.

4) Provide a knowledge and information sharing platform for the exchange of experience in the field of mechanized soil and water management systems for dryland agriculture and other technological practices between participating countries, and explore opportunities for cooperation.

III. Organization and Participation

The Workshop will take place on 28th September 2022 through virtual modality using the Zoom platform. More detailed information will be shared with the registered participants separately. While the Workshop will be oriented towards audience from Central Asian countries it will also welcome participants from other countries and sub-regions. The major target audience will be representatives at technical and policy/management levels in government agencies, research/educational institutes and civil society organizations as well as the private sector. The event is also open to other interested stakeholders. Woman participants are strongly encouraged.

The event will be conducted in Russian, English and Chinese with simultaneous interpretation in all three languages. Instructions on how to register and participate in this online event will be circulated in due course.

IV. Agenda

Workshop Agenda (14:00-16:00, Beijing Time, 28th September 2022)