BELAGRO-2026 Agricultural Exhibition Opening Ceremony Statement

Your Excellency the Minister of Agriculture of Belarus,

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to participate in the BELAGRO 2026 Agricultural Exhibition, and I would like to thank the Government of Belarus, the organizers and all participants for their warm welcome and excellent organization.

BELAGRO is one of the largest agriculture fairs in the region, and an important showcase globally of innovation, entrepreneurship, science and technology.

It brings together farmers, researchers, machinery manufacturers, food producers, investors and policymakers who are all contributing to the future of agrifood systems.

I am pleased to see the large scale of this exhibition, and the impressive progress it is showcasing - from advanced machinery to precision farming technologies.

I wish to commend Belarus for the high level of this event, the quality of the products on display, and the technological sophistication of Belarusian agriculture.

Belarus has established itself as an important agricultural producer in Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

The country produces more than seven million tonnes of cereal annually and is a significant exporter of dairy products, meat products and other agricultural commodities.

You also play an important role in regional food supply chains and contribute to global food security through trade and agricultural cooperation.

At the same time, Belarus has developed internationally recognized expertise in agricultural engineering and machinery manufacturing, supplying technologies to many countries around the world.

Yesterday, I visited the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation (BNBK) agro-industrial and biotechnology complex and saw first-hand a strong example of how investment in science, technology and value addition can help countries move beyond primary production and create higher value opportunities.

This combination of productive agriculture, industrial capacity and scientific expertise represents a valuable contribution not only to Belarus, but also to regional and international agrifood system development.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, agriculture is facing profound and interconnected challenges. The impacts of the climate crisis are affecting production systems worldwide. Natural resources are under increasing pressure.

Water is becoming scarcer in many regions. Biodiversity, and consequently food diversity, is declining.

Animal and plant diseases continue to pose risks.

And geopolitical and economic uncertainties are affecting agrifood systems and agricultural markets.

At the same time, the world's population continues to grow, and we are expecting to reach almost eight billion people by 2050.

At the same time, we estimate that 645 million people continued to be hungry in 2025, while consumers increasingly expect agrifood systems that are sustainable, nutritious, safe and resilient.

These challenges cannot be addressed through traditional approaches alone. They require innovation. They require science. They require investment and above all, they require efficient, effective and coherent collaboration.

Events such as BELAGRO are important because they demonstrate how technology and innovation can help farmers produce more with less, reduce losses, improve efficiency, conserve resources and strengthen resilience.

Agriculture today is being transformed by digital technologies, artificial intelligence, precision agriculture, biotechnology, improved machinery, data systems and innovative business models.

The future of agriculture will increasingly depend on how effectively we connect science with practice, innovation with investment, and technology with the needs of farmers.

At FAO, we believe that innovation must deliver practical solutions; it must help farmers improve productivity and incomes, and must strengthen food security.

It must also protect natural resources and create opportunities for rural communities, especially for women and young people.

Innovation is the key to turning global challenges into opportunities for the benefit of all!

This vision is reflected in FAO's Strategic Framework 2022–31, which guides our work towards the Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life - leaving no one behind.

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

BELAGRO is a showcase of the agrifood systems transformation in Belarus, and also highlights areas for increased collaboration with FAO.

I see important opportunities to work together in areas such as agricultural innovation, digital transformation, sustainable mechanization, climate resilience, food safety, One Health, sustainable natural resource management and agricultural education.

I also see opportunities to share Belarus experience and technologies with other countries through South-South and Triangular Cooperation.

Many developing countries are seeking practical solutions to increase productivity, modernize agriculture and strengthen food security.

Belarus possesses valuable knowledge, technologies and expertise that can contribute to these efforts.

The future of agriculture will be shaped by science, innovation and partnership.

But no country can address today's challenges alone.

We need stronger collaboration between governments, research institutions, universities, farmers, the private sector and international organizations.

We need to invest in knowledge. We need to invest in innovation. And we need to invest in the next generation of agricultural leaders.

BELAGRO demonstrates that agriculture is not only about producing food. It is about creating opportunities. It is about generating economic growth. It is about protecting our environment. And it is about building a better future for all.

FAO stands ready to continue strengthening our joint work in supporting the transformation of the Belarus agrifood system to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable.

I wish you a successful exhibition!

Thank you.