In Brussels, Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU showcases work of FAO in Europe and Central Asia

The Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union hosted an event in Brussels this week to present best practices and initiatives carried out by the Regional Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for Europe and Central Asia, located in Budapest. The conference marked the opening of a photo exhibit, offering a visual tour of FAO’s work in the region.

The event discussed ways to increase resilience and competitiveness of the food and agriculture sectors of Europe and Central Asia, with a particular emphasis on FAO’s work in the Western Balkans, green agriculture, sustainable diets, preventing food loss and waste, resilience against natural disasters, and digital agriculture.  It also celebrated the long-standing partnership between FAO and Hungary, which not only hosts the Regional Office since 2007, but also FAO's Global Service Shared Centre for its personnel.  

Hosted at the Mission of Hungary in Brussels, the event was one of the highlights of the fruitful collaboration between FAO in Brussels with the Hungarian Presidency of the Council.

On behalf of the host, Péter Benkő, Minister Plenipotentiary SCA Spokesperson, Head of Agriculture and Environment Unit, welcomed guests, emphasizing the strong collaboration between Hungary and FAO, highlighting the common goal of building sustainable agrifood systems.

“The partnership between FAO and Hungary exemplifies the power of collaboration, driving impactful solutions to enhance food security, support smallholder farmers, and build climate-resilient systems supporting the 2023 agenda and FAO's vision for a better production, better nutrition, better environment and a better life for all” said Raschad Al-Khafaji, Director of the FAO Liaison Office to the European Union and Belgium.

In his opening remarks, Leonard Mizzi, Head of Unit Agri-food systems and Fisheries of DG International partnerships of the European Commission, recommended shifting attention to neighbouring countries of the European Union keeping up the momentum created by the Hungarian European Union Council Presidency, during which food and agriculture issues have been high on the European agenda, coupled with a strong spirit of collaboration. 

Transforming agrifood systems in Europe and Central Asia

“Our region is actively tackling a diverse array of food and agriculture challenges, ranging from enhancing food security and nutrition levels to mitigating the impacts of climate change and conflicts,” pointed out Viorel Gutu, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative, during his overview on FAO’s presence in Europe and Central Asia. “We act hand in hand with our Members as they navigate the complexities of transboundary livestock diseases, ensure food safety and quality, expand access to international markets, and gather reliable agricultural data.”

Gutu also listed the four overarching priorities of FAO for the region, as defined by the 2024 Regional Conference for Europe: ensuring food security and addressing malnutrition, digital innovation and rural transformation with an emphasis on smallholders and youth, food system transformation and facilitating One Health, and sustainable natural resources management and resilience.

Currently, these priorities have been translated into action through 248 projects with a total funding volume of USD 402 million, out of which 11 projects are implemented in collaboration with the EU with a combined budget of USD 57 million.
“The European Union has always been a strategic partner for FAO. This partnership is based on a common vision, shared interests, and joint efforts to achieve sustainable development in a wide range of areas,” reiterated Viorel Gutu.

Additionally, Gordana Kozhuharova, Programme Specialist, presented FAO’s work in the Western Balkans, providing project examples implemented with support from the European Union and its Member States, including the Mainstreaming of the National Land Consolidation Programme (MAINLAND) in North Macedonia, strengthening disaster resilience in agriculture in Serbia, and in Albania, earthquake recovery efforts and the two recently commenced projects under the Joint SDG Fund  Digital Transformation Window “Digital Agriculture and Rural Transformation in Albania (DART)" and 'Digital Service Design Hub – Clicking Together with Citizens” in Serbia.

Tania Santivanez, Regional Priority Programme Coordinator for Natural Resource Management and Climate Change, followed in the programme with a presentation on FAO’s role in supporting the transformation of the region’s agrifood system with an emphasis on green agriculture and healthy and sustainable diets. She referred to the Regional Technical Platform on Green Agriculture as a digital, open access, user-friendly, and global tool.

Robert van Otterdijk, Sustainable Food Value Chain Expert summarized food loss and waste reduction efforts in Europe and Central Asia, supporting the development of national strategies and action plans, food loss and waste measurement and reporting, food recovery and redistribution, capacity building, awareness raising and behaviour change, as well as leveraging the power of strategic partnerships and collaborations, including a recent conference co-organized with the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union on prevention of food waste.

The pathways to make agrifood systems sustainable and resilient to disasters, reduce climate change impact, and crisis risks, with a focus on the role of agrifood systems was the topic addressed by FAO Integrated Pest Management and Climate Resilient Practice Specialist Zsuzsanna Keresztes. She pointed to the complex nature and critical role of agrifood systems, and the support of FAO to resilience and biodiversity through, among others, a regional programme on seed systems, and assistance to pest and pesticides management. 

Successful projects and initiatives, including the Digital Villages Initiative and the AgriTech Observatory, were shared by Daniela Di Gianantonio, FAO Head of Digital Agriculture for the region, as examples for utilizing technology in the region’s agriculture. Looking into the future, FAO is exploring opportunities to increase exchanges of good practices between EU and pre-accession countries, develop a digital agriculture curriculum and a benchmark or index for digital agriculture, and expand the AgriTech Observatory.

©Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2024