The 33rd session of the Regional Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for Europe took place from 10 to 13 May 2022 in Łód ((Poland). This was reported by FAO Press Office .
The purpose of the forum was to discuss not only the negative consequences of the war in Ukraine for global agri-food systems and global food security, but also ways to accelerate the transformation of agri-food systems to ensure inclusive and environmentally friendly development and better nutrition in the region and and beyond.
FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu called on FAO members to use the Regional Conference as an opportunity to discuss “potential approaches to prevent an even bigger crisis in the future.”
Europe and Central Asia include 53 high- and middle-income countries with more than 900 million people. The Director-General of FAO acknowledged that the Region has secured an important role as one of the world’s granaries and is the world’s leading producer of agri-food products in both quantity and quality, even today.
The region “plays a key role in global food security and is an important source of new ideas and examples for the rest of the world,” said Henrik Kowalczyk, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Poland, addressing the Regional Conference. / p> FAO members representing the Region focused on the situation in Ukraine and discussed the negative effects of the war on agriculture, including rising food and fertilizer prices due to difficult access to certain goods and resources.
Qu Dongyu noted that FAO is closely monitoring the negative effects of the war and will continue to prepare short-, medium- and long-term analytical materials and strategic recommendations for its members.
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FAO Regional Conferences are held every two years and provide an opportunity to discuss issues and facilitate coordination at the regional level to achieve the goals of Members. This year, more than 300 delegates from almost all countries in Europe and Central Asia have registered to attend the Regional Conference, the highest rate of participation for regional conferences in this part of the world.