Krakow hosts the 66th Panta Rhei Conference
30.09.2026
The 66th edition of the Panta Rhei Conference was held in Krakow from 22 to 24 September 2026. The conference focused on digitalisation, the development of modern IT systems and the use of technologies supporting the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
The Panta Rhei Conference is held twice a year and is organised in cooperation between the paying agencies of European Union Member States, which take turns hosting the event, and the Panta Rhei Secretariat, whose mandate lasts for three years.
ARMA was represented by Deputy Presidents Andrzej Borusiewicz, Leszek Szymański, Magdalena Kiciak-Kucharska and Marek Budzich, who took part in the conference and its accompanying events.
During the official opening of the conference, ARMA Deputy President Andrzej Borusiewicz emphasised that paying agencies are increasingly using modern IT systems, databases, automation, satellite technologies and artificial intelligence. He also noted that expectations towards public administration are growing: processes are expected to become simpler and faster, while maintaining a high level of security, control and compliance with applicable regulations.
“We do not have to develop every solution from scratch. We can draw on the experience of other countries, learn from their successes and challenges, and work together to find the best responses to new challenges.”
Over the three days, experts from the paying agencies of EU Member States shared their experience during plenary sessions and workshops. The topics discussed included the use of artificial intelligence and satellite technologies, the development of the Area Monitoring System (AMS) and the automation of checks, as well as the use of integrated IT systems and data in providing services to farmers and implementing the Common Agricultural Policy.
An important part of the conference programme consisted of presentations and workshops prepared by ARMA representatives.
Anna Czarnacka from the Department of Reference Databases, Registers and On-the-Spot Checks presented ARMA’s experience in obtaining orthophotos for the purposes of the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) in the context of the situation along Poland’s eastern border. Her presentation addressed, among other things, challenges resulting from GPS signal jamming and spoofing, as well as military restrictions.
One of the workshops focused on the use of artificial intelligence in the administration of direct payments. It was led by representatives of the Direct Payments Department – Director Janusz Szulc, Deputy Director Joanna Czapla and Adam Marcinkowski.
Representatives of the Fisheries Support Department presented the challenges and solutions related to the use of the CST2021 system in the implementation of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) for the 2021–2027 period.
Another important part of the conference was a presentation of the Farmer Portal – an innovative solution on a European scale that integrates digital services and information provided by a number of institutions operating in Poland’s agricultural sector. The presentation was delivered by Adam Andrzejewski Director of the Department of Digital Transformation of Agriculture.
The conference programme also included a number of social and cultural activities, giving participants an opportunity to discover Krakow and its cultural heritage. The guided city tour and the gala dinner at the historic Wieliczka Salt Mine were particularly well received by the participants.
The Panta Rhei Conference is one of the European forums for exchanging experience among representatives of the paying agencies of EU Member States. It has been held continuously for 31 years. This year’s edition brought together more than 120 participants from 31 countries.
The 66th Conference was organised by ARMA’s International Cooperation and European Projects Office, headed by Mariusz Górski, Acting Director of the Office.
The Krakow conference also marked the end of the three-year mandate of the Belgian Panta Rhei Secretariat. During the event, responsibility for the Secretariat was symbolically handed over to the Croatian Paying Agency, which thereby began its three-year mandate. The Czech Republic will host the next Panta Rhei Conference.
Foto. M. Mydlarz
