Regional Meeting of the Chairs of National Parliaments’ Committees on Agriculture

Agrifood systems are embedded into every aspect of human existence and are intricately connected to human and animal health, land, water, climate, biodiversity, and the economy. The multiple crisis affecting the Europe and Central Asia region have a significant impact on food systems transformation. Achieving food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture goals in the region by 2030 requires coherent policies and programmes, increased investments in line with national priorities, and greater collaboration across different sectors and actors. However, for a holistic approach, a multi-stakeholder engagement comprising governments, civil society, and the private sector is needed. 

While the executive institutions of governments have a key role to play in facilitating the implementation of policies and actions for change, the legislative arm represented by Parliaments can play a greater role. Parliaments and parliamentarians are challenged to contribute more effectively to the governance of food systems, including the protection of the right to food, regulation of different actors, institutions, and processes involved along the food supply chain, and the promotion of equitable access to a healthy and sustainable diet.

Increasing the connections among parliamentarians in the Europe and Central Asia region is key to supporting food systems transformation. These relationships can be enhanced by creating an enabling environment for a holistic and cross-sectoral approach to knowledge and experiential exchange. 

In line with this, as a follow-up to the Global Parliamentarian Meeting in June 2023 in Chile and FAO’s preparatory meeting of five chairs of Agrarian Committees from Albania, Armenia, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine in October 2023, FAO is convening the first regional Meeting of the Chairs of National Parliaments’ Committees on Agriculture. 

Objectives of the meeting 

• Exchange of views on the status of the food systems and the role of the Parliaments and, more specifically, that of the Agrarian Committees in food systems transformation.
• Create linkages amongst parliamentarians and Parliamentary bodies and FAO at both, regional and national level, through a region-wide exchange and networking.
• Facilitate information sharing on good practices on legal frameworks and on public policies in selected countries.