I warmly welcome the participants of the Caspian Agro Week - 19th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition and Forum and InterFood Azerbaijan - 31st Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition.

Caspian Agro Week, which has consolidated its position as one of the leading agricultural platforms in the region, is this year being organised under a new conceptual format. Within this framework, the exhibition goes beyond the mere display of products and technologies, incorporating forums covering various directions of the agricultural sector, as well as organised field visits to large specialised innovative farms operating across the country.

The conferences and forums held within the Caspian Agro Week framework, as well as the visits to innovative farms, serve to deepen the exchange of knowledge and experience in the agricultural sector, promote the adoption of new approaches, and advance sustainable development. This format brings together all participants of the agricultural ecosystem, creating favourable opportunities for expanding cooperation.

The events to be held within the exhibition will feature broad discussions on the current challenges and development prospects of agriculture. Representatives of government bodies, the private sector, international partners, research institutions, and participants of the innovation ecosystem will exchange views on priority areas, including digitalisation in agriculture, the application of artificial intelligence, climate change adaptation, sustainable production, and other key topics.

In the modern era, the development of the agricultural sector requires the application of innovative approaches that respond to global challenges. Climate change, efficient use of natural resources, food security, and sustainable production models are among the key priorities. Digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and precision agriculture solutions are the driving forces behind this transformation.

This year, the exhibition features a wide showcase of innovative products and technologies, digital solutions, and modern approaches that ensure the efficient use of resources. At the same time, the presentation of agricultural projects being implemented in the liberated territories constitutes one of the important directions of the exhibition. These approaches aim to increase productivity and strengthen the competitiveness of the sector.

The events held within the exhibition are of great significance from the perspective of discussing current issues in agriculture and expanding cooperation among various stakeholders.

The development of agriculture in our republic is one of the priority directions of state policy. The reforms being implemented and the modern approaches being applied ensure the sustainable development of the agricultural sector and the enhancement of its international competitiveness.

I am confident that the events held within the Caspian Agro Week framework will make a significant contribution to the establishment of new partnerships and to the long-term development of the agricultural sector.

I wish the exhibition participants every success and invite them to make effective use of the opportunities provided by this platform.

Sincerely,

Majnun Mammadov
Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan

On behalf of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (KOBİA), I warmly welcome the organisers, participants, and visitors of the Caspian Agro Week –19th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition and Forum, as well as InterFood Azerbaijan – 31st Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition.

These prestigious platforms, bringing together participants from the agricultural and food industries, are of particular importance for showcasing the latest developments and innovative solutions applied across these sectors, establishing new partnerships, and expanding business opportunities. They also serve as significant meeting points where the future directions of sectoral development are shaped through the exchange of best practices. The modern approaches presented here provide a vivid picture of the progress being made toward increasing productivity in agriculture, raising quality standards in the food industry, ensuring more efficient use of resources, and implementing “green economy” principles.

Agriculture and food industry are among the key sectors driving the development of our country’s non-oil economy. The measures implemented under the leadership of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev — including the modernisation of the agricultural sector, strengthening food security, increasing export potential, the creation of agro-parks, expanding farmers’ access to subsidies and concessional financial resources, and the introduction of modern technologies — play an important role in ensuring the sustainable development of the agricultural and food industries.

The innovative approaches adopted by SMEs operating in these sectors also contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of the industry. The favourable business environment created for entrepreneurs, state support mechanisms, and investment opportunities stimulate the implementation of new business initiatives in the agricultural and food sectors.

The rich natural resources, fertile land reserves, and broad production capacities of the liberated territories create new prospects for the development of the relevant sectors. Modern agricultural and processing enterprises, sustainable production models established in these territories with state support and based on the “green economy” approach, create attractive business opportunities for entrepreneurs. It is encouraging that products manufactured in these territories are already being showcased at various exhibitions, while opportunities for access to markets continue to expand.

As KOBİA, supporting the active participation of small and medium-sized businesses in international exhibitions of this kind remains one of our key priorities. These platforms play a vital role in enabling SMEs to present their products and services to a wider audience, increase sales opportunities, and establish new business contacts. We are pleased to support the representation of local SMEs at these exhibitions this year as well and trust that their success will continue in the future.

We are confident that the discussions held within the framework of the exhibition, the innovative solutions presented, the “green economy” initiatives, and the partnerships established will make an important contribution to the sustainable development of the agricultural and food industries. I take this opportunity, on behalf of KOBİA, to wish all

exhibition participants productive meetings, successful partnerships, and new achievements.

Sincerely,

Orkhan Mammadov

Chairman of the Board

Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (KOBİA)

On behalf of the Azerbaijan Food and Beverage Industrialists Association (AQİSA), I warmly welcome you to the 31st Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition – InterFood Azerbaijan 2026 and the 19th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition and Forum – Caspian Agro Week 2026.

For many years, these exhibitions have served as a prestigious and reliable business platform for the food and agriculture sectors of our country and the region. By bringing together local and international companies, producers, farmers, and investors, these events make a significant contribution to the development of the industry.

As AQİSA, our primary mission is to foster sustainable cooperation within the food and non-alcoholic beverage industry, accelerate the adoption of innovations, and support the strengthening of the national food industry ecosystem. In this regard, InterFood Azerbaijan and Caspian Agro Week exhibitions create valuable opportunities to achieve these objectives.

Today, issues such as food safety, sustainable production, and climate-adapted technologies are among the key topics on the global agenda. Azerbaijan's transition toward a green economy and its active engagement in international initiatives clearly demonstrate the country's growing regional role in this field. The innovative solutions showcased at these exhibitions clearly reflect this approach.

I would also like to emphasize that Azerbaijan holds a strategic position as a regional logistics and transport corridor. The East–West and North–South routes, as well as the Zangezur Corridor, create new opportunities for stable and uninterrupted food supply across the region, while also strengthening our country's export potential.

We are confident that InterFood Azerbaijan 2026 and Caspian Agro Week 2026 will make an important contribution to the establishment of new partnerships, the expansion of market opportunities, and the sustainable development of the sector.

We wish all participants a productive and successful exhibition, and are certain that the partnerships formed within the framework of these exhibitions will lead to valuable results for future development.

Sincerely,
 

Emin Dostiyari

Chairman of the Board

Azerbaijan Food and Beverage Industrialists Association (AQİSA)

It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to the 19th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition and the 31st Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition. FAO is honoured to be part of this important platform, which unites those who work each day to safeguard food security, advance agricultural development, and build more sustainable and resilient food systems.

This year’s exhibition arrives at a pivotal moment for the agricultural sector. The 2026 programme highlights some of the most pressing issues and promising solutions shaping the future of agriculture globally and in Azerbaijan. In a period of growing global uncertainty marked by disruptions in international logistics, regional instability, and increasingly fragile supply chains the importance of strong, resilient, and self-sufficient agriculture has never been greater. Topics such as smart irrigation and water-sector reforms, digital agriculture and the use of artificial intelligence, regenerative soil management, cold-chain logistics and traceability, and the development of agro-parks and smart villages reflect the sector’s rapid transformation toward innovation, sustainability, and climate resilience.

These themes closely mirror FAO’s priorities. As climate variability continues to challenge farmers worldwide, investing in efficient water use, soil health, digital tools, and modern value chains is no longer optional - it is essential. The discussions and activities at Caspian Agro Week 2026 help move these priorities forward, translating global knowledge into local impact.

In Azerbaijan, FAO’s partnership with the Government continues to grow stronger each year. Together, we are introducing more efficient irrigation practices, strengthening cooperatives, supporting sustainable land and water management, and empowering farmers through training and digital tools. These initiatives are ultimately about more than productivity - they are about enhancing livelihoods, protecting ecosystems, and creating opportunities for rural communities.

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Azerbaijan’s identity and economic progress. As the sector continues to modernise, FAO remains committed to supporting innovation, policy development, digital transformation, and climate-resilient solutions that help farmers adapt and thrive. But we recognise that meaningful transformation requires collective effort. Governments, international organizations, the private sector, academia, and farmers all play an essential role in building a future where agriculture is both productive and sustainable.

As we celebrate the achievements of Azerbaijan’s agri-food sector and look toward new horizons of cooperation, I would like to thank each of you for your dedication. Caspian Agro Week is more than an exhibition - it is a space for learning, collaboration, creativity, and partnership. The ideas exchanged here have the power to shape food systems for years to come.

And as we work together toward a more resilient agricultural future, we do so with the understanding that we owe it not only to the generations that follow us, but also to ourselves -

to build a world where the land thrives, communities prosper, and every person can live with dignity and nourishment.

On behalf of FAO, I wish you all a successful, inspiring, and fruitful experience at this year’s exhibition. May your discussions lead to new solutions, your partnerships to lasting progress, and your efforts continue to strengthen agriculture in Azerbaijan and beyond.

Nasar Hayat

FAO Representative & Head of FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in Azerbaijan