Delegations of 53 countries meeting in Łódź on 10-13 May referred to the earlier resolutions of the UN General Assembly, recalling, among other things, that attacks on agricultural infrastructure that directly affect food supply chains, constitute a breach of international law which the Russian Federation has committed to obey.

FAO Regional Conference for Europe called upon Russia to immediately cease hostilities in order to fully resume agricultural production. It also requested FAO to prepare and implement recovery plans to ensure food security in the countries most affected by the conflict.

In the adopted decision the Conference expressed its solidarity and support for Ukraine, as well as recognition for the countries supporting Kyiv and accepting refugees. It also stressed its deep concern about the threat of the Russian authorities to limit food supplies to countries supporting Ukraine.

Only three countries voted against the decision: Belarus, the Russian Federation and Tajikistan.

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The 33rd session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe, devoted to food security and challenges to food production in the world, chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zbigniew Rau. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Deputy Prime Minister Henryk Kowalczyk, also took part in the session. FAO is represented by its Director-General Qu Dongyu. During the Conference, there are discussed challenges and priorities of the agricultural sector. The Conference promotes regional coherence in agricultural policy and rural development. It also supports the effectiveness of FAO's operations in the region.

The Regional Conference for Europe is the FAO’s highest governing body at the regional level that meets every two years. It brings together high-level representatives / ministers from 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia, observers (Canada, the Holy See and the US) and representatives of civil society.

 

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Spokesperson