Interview with Agricultural Attaché of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU, Filip Lameš

Filip Lameš you are the Agricultural Attaché of the Czech mission here in Brussels and a one of the key persons for the Presidency the last 6 months. What would you highlight as key challenges the Presidency successfully tackled and what were the main results?

We took over the role of the Presidency at a very difficult and challenging moment. The Russia's aggression against Ukraine reformulated the priorities of the Czech presidency in all areas, and agriculture was no exception. We needed to reflect on the unprecedented global food and nutrition crisis that has been even more exacerbated by the geopolitical situation, high energy prices, climate change, and the implications of COVID-19 pandemic.

Consequently, food security on the European and global level was the key priority on the agenda of all agriculture ministers meetings in Brussels and at the informal meeting in Prague. Over the six months, we focused on the role of EU agriculture and food in sustainable global food production. We also made progress in discussing sustainable use of pesticides regulation and reached political agreements, both on deforestation-free products regulation and on fishing rights for 2023. During our Presidency, all 27 EU Member state’s Common Agricultural Policy Strategic plans were approved. As for items related to FAO , we continued discussing global food security, sustainable and climate agenda in line with the EU agricultural and environmental priorities.

Finally yet importantly, for me personally those 6 months have been once-in-a-lifetime experience. I have been a member of a Brussels team preparing the agriculture ministers meetings and responsible for areas relating to FAO, Common Agriculture Policy or agricultural trade.

FAO has had an excellent collaboration with the Czech mission and you in particular on a number of events such as this year’s World Food Day. How important and impactful is this type of high-level advocacy in your view?

First of all, let me begin by thanking the FAO Liaison Office in Brussels for co-organizing informal events with the Czech presidency. We have had a very intense, but successful semester. World Food Day contributed significantly to the discussion on transformation of agriculture and food systems and received positive feedback from participants. It was a great opportunity for me and my Czech colleagues to meet FAO high-level representatives and discuss our further cooperation.

I think events like this are very important and make a strong contribution by bringing together participants with different expertise to discuss the way forward in agriculture and food sector. It allows civil society and stakeholders to raise any particular question and have a thorough discussion with high-level experts. I also appreciate that FAO brought a global perspective to topics such as sustainable agricultural and food policy, food security, food labelling or forestry.

FAO contributes to a number of Council Working Parties. How could we maximize the benefit from these contributions for both FAO and the Presidencies?

I believe this has been a great example of a very useful initiative. It has fostered mutually beneficial engagement between EU Member States and FAO.

We were pleased to invite FAO representatives to brief the Working Party on the work of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub or on priorities of the liaison work FAO does. Moreover, we appreciated an update from FAO on many aspects that were discussed among EU Member States, with a special focus on relevant points in preparation for FAO meetings until the end of 2022. This exchange of views allowed Member States to share their own perspective and observations with FAO.

The Council Working Party on International Food and Agricultural Questions (AGRIFAO) is one of the most important coordination bodies that defines common EU and Member States position within FAO. Could you tell us more about AGRIFAO and its work for the Presidency?

AGRIFAO is a subgroup of the Working Party on International Food and Agricultural Questions. It provides recommendations and guidance on strategic EU policy objectives and thematic issues for the FAO. It coordinates EU 27 Member States' priorities that get presented during  FAO meetings and to  FAO management. Statements and common positions on fisheries and forestry are prepared within specialized EU Council working parties. During the second half of the year, AGRIFAO experts met four times in person in Brussels and twice in virtual mode. We had many coordination meetings on the margins of FAO technical committees and FAO Council.

It has been an honor and a privilege chairing AGRIFAO meetings during the Czech presidency. I would like to take this opportunity to express my great appreciation to my colleagues from the Working Party and Czech presidency FAO team in Prague and in Rome. I also sincerely appreciate the cooperation with both France and Sweden, under Presidency Trio, and I wish Sweden the best of luck.

The current challenges for global food security may also bring new opportunities to transform agrifood systems. How do you think international organizations such as FAO could play a role in this particular period?

Multilateral cooperation is crucial. Especially these days when we face challenges which go beyond our borders. We should continue supporting transformation and future shaping of agriculture and food systems, with particular attention to impacts on the most vulnerable countries and regions. The contribution of all international actors including FAO is highly needed to make sustainable, resilient and efficient agrifood systems combating climate change and biodiversity loss, while ensuring food security and access to healthy and diversified nutrition for all. The FAO should play a pivotal role in the coordination of global action towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.