Regional Conference for Europe Opening

Inaugurating the thirty-third session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe on Tuesday (10 May), the FAO’s Director-General Qu Dongyu said the war in Ukraine “is causing enormous human suffering and leaving production value chains and supply chains destroyed,” adding that the effects of war “are being felt across the global agrifood systems.”

Inaugurating the thirty-third session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe on Tuesday (10 May), the FAO’s Director-General Qu Dongyu said the war in Ukraine “is causing enormous human suffering and leaving production value chains and supply chains destroyed,” adding that the effects of war “are being felt across the global agrifood systems.”

Director-General also warned that “the increase in food energy and fertilizer prices are putting the next harvest at the risk and are impacting the world’s food security.”

The conference, taking place in Lodz, Poland from 10 to 13 May, gathered ministers and high-level representatives from across Europe and Central Asia to discuss not only the implications of the war in Ukraine on global agrifood systems and world food security, but also ways of accelerating efforts to transform agrifood systems to assure inclusive and environmentally-friendly development and achieve better nutrition, both regionally and beyond.

“In our conversation about the sustainable agrifood systems, we confirm our shared desire for the future in which no one is hungry and no one is left behind,” Director-General Qu said. “We know it is a challenging time for us. But together, now more than ever, we must continue to work for the benefit of all countries in the region and beyond.”

The conference is expected to focus on identifying and discussing 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, addressing the promotion of healthy diets, 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.

“This hybrid regional ministerial conference is an excellent example of how we can address the challenges we face with joint determination blending traditional approaches of know-how with the modern technology, ”Qu said. “And also, it is time for you to find your own solutions or patent solutions to deal with a crisis in short term, midterm and long term.”

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.

FAO Regional Conferences are held once every two years and serve as an opportunity to debate challenges and promote regional coherence in pursuing Members’ goals. More than 300 delegates were registered to participate in this year’s session, representing almost all countries of Europe and Central Asia, making it the most attended regional conference here.

STORY: FAO / EUROPE REGIONAL CONFERENCE OPENING

TRT: 2:44

SOURCE: FAO

RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT FAO ON SCREEN

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH /NATS

DATELINE: 10 MAY 2022, LODZ, POLAND

SHOTLIST:

1.    Wide shot, conference hall

2.    Med shot, Polish FM Rau and FAO DG Qu walking into hall

3.    Wide shot, Qu shaking hands with delegates

4.    Med shot, Qu and delegates taking their seats

5.    Wide shot, conference hall

6.    SOUNDBITE (English) Qu Dongyu, Director-General, FAO:

“In our conversation about the sustainable agrifood systems, we confirm our shared desire for the future in which no one is hungry and no one is left behind. We know it is a challenging time for us. But together, now more than ever, we must continue to work for the benefit of all countries in the region and beyond.”

7.    Cutaway, Qu speaking

8.    SOUNDBITE (English) Qu Dongyu, Director-General, FAO:

“The impact of the war in Ukraine continues to affect our lives, health and the economy. The ongoing destruction is causing enormous human suffering and leaving production value chains, supply chains destroyed and its effects are being felt across the global agrifood systems. The increase in food energy and fertilizer prices are putting the next harvest at the risk and are impacting the world’s food security.”

9.    Various shots, delegates listening

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Qu Dongyu, Director-General, FAO:

“This hybrid regional ministerial conference is an excellent example of how we can address the challenges we face with joint determination blending traditional approaches of know-how with the modern technology. And also, it is time for you to find your own solutions or patent solutions to deal with a crisis in short term, midterm and long term.”

11. Various shots, photo op, Qu and other principals

12. Various shots, Polish folklore performance