Held in Łódź on 10-13 May under the auspices of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the 33rd session of the Regional Conference for Europe was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the National Support Centre for Agriculture. The participants were delegates from European and Central Asian countries. The key topics of the debates included the transformation of agrifood systems in Europe and Central Asia and a practical approach to the said transformation for the benefit of a healthy diet in the two regions. Also on the conference’s agenda were the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine for food security and agriculture.

Poland’s top diplomat stressed that food security plays a special role and constitutes an indispensable component of the security concept Poland finds all-important. Also, the minister emphasised that a threat to food security has become particularly evident in the recent weeks, after Russia invaded Ukraine. “We already see that the consequences of this aggression extend far beyond Ukraine and Europe. The protracted conflict can reduce the global supplies of primary agricultural products, triggering surges in food prices and leading to hunger,” he said. “It can also jeopardise food security worldwide and escalate geopolitical tensions,” added the minister. The chief of Polish diplomacy noted that the organisation of this year’s session of the conference by Poland shows how significant agriculture is to our economy, as well as to our identity. It also reflects Warsaw’s engagement on international forums, especially those under the aegis of the United Nations.

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Press Spokesperson