News
16.01.2025
UCAB participates in the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA)

January 16 as part of the Green Week in Berlin, the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) kicked off, bringing together leaders, experts, and innovators from around the world to discuss the key challenges and opportunities for sustainable development in the agricultural sector and the food industry. UCAB, along with representatives of the Ukrainian delegation, is actively participating in this important event, fostering international dialogue and presenting Ukraine's vision.
This year's central theme of the forum is the development of a sustainable bioeconomy. The global economy's reliance on fossil resources has led to the depletion of natural reserves, an escalating climate crisis, and threats to food security. Transitioning to a bioeconomy based on renewable resources could become the cornerstone for building a resilient and innovative economic system.
One of the panels at GFFA 2025 focused on the interconnection between conflicts in Europe and globally, climate change, and food security. Participants discussed how climate initiatives and hunger relief programs can serve as platforms for cooperation, even in conflict-affected regions.
A key message from the panel came from Cem Özdemir, Germany's Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, who emphasized that Ukraine’s integration and the inclusion of its agricultural sector would become a significant stabilizing factor for EU food security. At the same time, the German government and democratic political forces must make special efforts to convince the German public and farmers of the benefits of EU expansion and Ukraine's integration. This includes countering mass disinformation and “fake” news that falsely portray Ukraine’s agricultural sector and exports as threats to German farmers. The task for Germany’s democratic forces is not only to combat this often externally driven disinformation campaign but also to ensure the effective adaptation of the EU's common agricultural policy to include Ukraine and other candidate countries.
During the panel, Anne Beathe Kristiansen Tvinnereim, Norway's Minister of International Development, also highlighted: “The war in Ukraine and other parts of the world has shown that hunger can be used as a weapon. We have witnessed the rapid rise in food prices following the invasion of Ukraine, affecting hundreds of millions of people, particularly in Africa. This underscores the urgent need for large-scale investments in food security, infrastructure, and resilience to climate challenges.” Her points were echoed by Minister Özdemir, who also stressed that the most effective way to address illegal migration is to tackle its root causes—helping countries in the Global South adapt to climate change, investing in and supporting their agricultural sectors, and reducing trade barriers in agri-trade.