On October 15-16 in Rome, the Head of the European Integration Committee UCAB Oleksandra Avramenko took part in the international forum “Transformation of food systems in Ukraine - prospects for long-term sustainable development”, organized by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with the support of the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the German-Ukrainian Agro-Political Dialogue (APD) Project.

The main goal of the event was to determine the current state and status of the Ukrainian food system in the context of a full-scale war in order to create recommendations for the recovery of the agro-sector and long-term sustainable development.

The forum participants, including representatives of the EU, USA and other IFAD member countries, exchanged opinions and observations, developed common recommendations and identified priority areas for cooperation.

The discussion focused on the following questions:

• trends in the development of food systems in the world; 
• transformation of the ukrainian food system in the context of european integration; 
• the role of public institutions, agribusiness, civil society, science and education in the process of adapting food systems to sustainable development;
• prospects of implementation of European norms and requirements in the agricultural sector of Ukraine.

“In order for Ukraine to join the EU as soon as possible and to restore full functioning of the agricultural sector, we need comprehensive support from European partners. First of all, this concerns technical, financial and scientific assistance for the restoration and modernization of production processes, as well as the development of the processing industry. Social support is also important, including funding, equipment and knowledge to create inclusive jobs, reintegrate veterans and restore or build new social infrastructure in rural areas.

We also expect trade relations with the EU to stabilize, as Ukraine badly needs a reliable and stable trade partner. In addition, it is necessary to increase international pressure on the russian federation to stop using agro-products as a tool of blackmail and allow Ukraine to export to its traditional markets in a stable manner. These steps are crucial for the recovery and development of Ukraine's agricultural sector on the path to European integration”, – emphasized Oleksandra Avramenko.

UCAB sincerely thanks the organizers and partners of the event for the opportunity to join the lively discussion in order to work together with the international community to improve Ukrainian food systems in the context of European integration and sustainable development. Special thanks to the German-Ukrainian Agro-Political Dialogue Project (APD) for inviting and organizing the event.