Agrifood systems in Europe and Central Asia are strongly affected by multiple crises. To take stock of the current situation and discuss a way forward, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) convened its Member Nations of the Eurasia region in Budapest, hosted by the Government of Hungary.

Starting today, at the two-day Informal Consultation 35 Members are present in attendance, and more than ten are joining virtually, together with representatives from the European Union, civil society, private sector, academia, and research institutions. The participants will exchange views on challenges in the region’s agrifood system. The Informal Consultation will articulate and contribute to the formulation of the FAO priorities for the Europe and Central Asia region for 2024–2025, which will be presented for endorsement at the Thirty-fourth Regional Conference for Europe in 2024.

“The wind might not have always been in the sails recently, but we remain committed to developing the region’s food and agriculture sector in a sustainable way and by doing so, also contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, leaving no one behind,” emphasized Vladimir Rakhmanin, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia. ”Humanity cannot survive without food, and our mandate is to provide everyone with sufficient, safe, and nutritious food, despite the difficulties. We hope to achieve this goal – jointly.”