35th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe (ERC35)
Dushanbe (Tajikistan), 11/05/2026 - 15/05/2026
Statement by the Conference Secretary
As Conference Secretary, I am pleased to announce that Tajikistan is proudly hosting the Thirty-fifth Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe (ERC35) from 11 to 15 May 2026. The Conference brings together FAO Members from across Europe and Central Asia to engage in strategic dialogue on the most pressing food and agriculture issues facing the region.
The Session convenes government representatives alongside participants from United Nations programmes, specialized agencies and funds, as well as observers from intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, research and academia, the private sector and civil society. It provides a key regional platform for exchange, reflection and collective action.
Held under the overarching theme “Uniting for sustainability”, the Conference focuses on how countries can better integrate climate action, biodiversity conservation and land restoration to advance sustainable, resilient and inclusive agrifood systems. Discussions recognize that addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation requires integrated and coherent approaches.
In line with the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–2031, the Session considers pathways for sustainable natural resources management, climate adaptation and mitigation, and biodiversity conservation, contributing to better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life.
The agenda also addresses external factors affecting food and agriculture, including the impact of multiple, overlapping crises in Europe and Central Asia. Drawing on region-specific risk analysis, Members review mitigation efforts to date and discuss inclusive, gender-responsive and innovative approaches to strengthening agrifood system resilience.
A dedicated focus is placed on agrifood system financing, examining how investment can be redirected and scaled up to support sustainability, resilience and inclusion. Members are invited to share experiences, identify opportunities and provide guidance on FAO’s programme of work in the region.
Additional agenda items include the implications of the war in Ukraine for food security and agriculture, as well as strategic foresight and future analysis to better understand current pressures and their influence on future trends.
The Conference will also review the results of FAO’s work in Europe and Central Asia during 2024–2025 and discuss priorities for 2026–2027 and beyond, taking into account evolving global and regional challenges and their implications for implementing the FAO Strategic Framework.
Nabil Gangi
Conference Secretary
Thirty-fifth Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
From mountains to communities: FAO in Tajikistan
In order to streamline the proceedings of the 35th Session of the Regional Conference for Europe (ERC35), a written correspondence procedure will be implemented as the main method to address selected items, as indicated in the Provisional Timetable of the Session.
Members and Observers are requested to submit any inputs and statements on the selected items by email to [email protected] between 1–30 April 2026. The subject line of the email has to clearly indicate to which agenda item the submitted input relates to. These items to be addressed through written consultation shall not be discussed live at the session of the ERC.
The received statements will be web posted on the web page dedicated to the written consultation in its original language without delay. Following the conclusion of the written consultation on 30 April 2026, where applicable, the Secretariat will provide written responses to the input received. All inputs received and the FAO Secretariat responses will be translated into all languages of the Regional Conference and posted by the ERC Secretariat on the dedicated page within the Regional Conference website.
Items considered through the written correspondence procedure will be taken into account by the Rapporteurs of the Regional Conference and will therefore form an integral part of the deliberations, and of the Report of the 35th Session of the ERC.
Items for written consultation
Non-state actor consultations
Partnerships are at the heart of FAO’s mission to help build consensus for a world without hunger. In the Europe and Central Asia region, FAO collaborates with a variety of non-governmental partners, including development agencies, international financing organizations, civil society groups, private companies, industry associations, and academic and research institutions.
As part of the preparations for the Regional Conference for Europe, youth representatives and members of academia and research institutions, civil society organizations and private-sector organizations from Europe and Central Asia participated in a series of targeted consultations to discuss current issues related to the food and agricultural sector and FAO priorities in the region. These dialogues are important fora for the exchange of perspectives, experiences and goals, and the collective statements formulated at each consultation will be presented to FAO Members at the Regional Conference.
Consultative dialogue of youth in Europe and Central Asia
30/03/2026, 10.00 – 12.00 CEST
Virtual event
Consultation with the academia and research
15/04/2026, 10.00 – 13.00 CEST
Virtual event
Consultation with the private sector (EU)
22/04/2026, 10.00 – 12.30 CEST
Brussels, Belgium
Consultation with the private sector (non-EU)
29/04/2026, 13.00 – 16.00 CEST
İzmir, Türkiye (Hybrid Event)
