33rd session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe

Łódź (Poland), Hybrid Event, 10/05/2022 - 13/05/2022

About the 33rd Regional Conference for Europe
Written Consultation process

The Thirty-third Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe (ERC) is open to all FAO Members in the Europe and Central Asia region. It also is open to representatives of United Nations bodies and specialized agencies and selected observers from intergovernmental and international non-governmental sectors, research/academia, the private sector and entities representing the civil society.

Building on the outcomes of the United Nations Food Systems Summit in 2021, the new FAO Strategic Framework, which strives for better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life, will facilitate future achievements under the umbrella of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Debate at the ministerial round table will identify and discuss priority issues in the Europe and Central Asia region for gaining the optimal balance among agrifood systems, the environment and the use of natural resources. Discussion will cover the promotion of healthy diets – giving the focus and voice to consumers – and emphasize how the principle of Leaving No One Behind can be considered in all agriculture and rural development efforts. Furthermore, specific focus will be given to nutrition-sensitive value chain development and the role that responsible investment in agriculture and food systems may play in delivering affordable, healthy diets for all.

Building on the UNFSS results and their significance for the Europe and Central Asia region, Members will be invited to illustrate their priorities and ongoing actions to transform agrifood systems.

An important item on the agenda will be the results of work in the region in 2020–2021 and a discussion of priorities for further work for the period 2022–2025, reflecting on the implications of COVID-19 and the new FAO Strategic Framework.

Additionally, the preparation of the global FAO Science and Innovation Strategy and the FAO Strategy on Climate Change will be presented to the Regional Conference.

From 1 to 25 April 2022

Given the decision to hold the 33rd Session of the Regional Conference for Europe in hybrid mode and the constraints related to the span of seven time zones in Europe and Central Asia region, the programme of live plenary meetings of the Session shall be condensed.

In order to streamline the proceedings of the Regional Conference, a written consultation procedure will be implemented as the main method to address selected items as indicated in the Provisional Timetable of the Session. These items to be addressed through written consultation shall not be discussed during the session of the ERC.

Members and Observers are requested to submit any inputs and statements on the selected and below listed documents by email to [email protected] no later than Monday, 25 April 2022. The subject line of the email has to indicate clearly, to which agenda item the submitted input relate. Where applicable, the Secretariat will provide written responses to the inputs received. All inputs received and the FAO Secretariat responses, will be translated in all languages of the Regional Conference, and posted by the ERC Secretariat on a dedicated page within the Regional Conference website.

Items considered through the written consultation 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 33rd Session of the ERC.

The Report of the 33rd Session of the ERC will record Members’ consensus on the amended modalities for the Session outlined in this Information Note, including with regard to the written consultation on selected agenda items.

Inputs from Members – Original language Secretariat response

Related events

Civil Society Consultation

Prior to the Thirty-thirds Session of the Regional Conference for Europe, representatives of the civil society gathered to express and exchange their views in regards to main agenda items of the Conference.

Private Sector Consultation

FAO convenes key actors of the private sector to discuss current and fundamental issues of sustainable food and agriculture in the region.

11/05/2022

United Nations Decade of Family Farming and Peasants’ Rights in Times of Crisis

The Civil Society Facilitation Committee organizes a side event on the 33rd Regional Conference for Europe on Wednesday, 11 May 2022 at 16:00-17:00 (CEST) in a hybrid modality.