Central Asia is of particular importance for global food security, and the world needs to provide its population with not just food, but functional, healthy nutrition. This was stated by Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), at the international conference "Food Security in a Changing World" in Ashgabat.

"We don't just need to provide food and carbohydrates, we need functional carbohydrates because some foods don't contribute to maintaining body function," Qu Dongyu said.

According to him, when it comes to health, absolute food security is essential in terms of quality, health, and functionality. The FAO chief identified three key dimensions of food security: accessibility, reliability, and affordability.

Qiu Dongyu provided examples illustrating the difference between general food availability and access to functional foods. He noted that even without issues with affordability or general food availability, access to healthy, functional foods may still be an issue.

The FAO Director-General also emphasized the historical role of Central Asia in ensuring food security, noting the complex geopolitical situation of recent decades and its impact on the global food system.