On 16 January between 1.30–3.00 p.m., in the framework of the 2026 Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA), FAO and the German–Ukrainian Agricultural Policy Dialogue are organizing a side event on Technologies and innovation as a driver of resilience in European Union (EU) neighbourhood crisis-affected regions.

The central theme of the 2026 GFFA highlights the importance of resilience, risk governance, technological transformation, and sustainable resource use as key elements for safeguarding livelihoods. These priorities are highly relevant to crisis-affected regions of the EU Neighbourhood, facing combined pressures from demographic collapse, climate extremes, energy insecurity, mine contamination, and food system disruptions. The side event is politically framed around the humanitarian-development nexus, using Ukraine and neighbouring Republic of Moldova as examples for demonstrating how technology enables resilience and supports the EU Neighbourhood dimension.

To address these challenges FAO and Germany are providing support to these countries promoting digital tools, climate-smart agriculture, mine-action support for agricultural recovery, energy-efficient technologies, innovations in water and land management, agricultural policy dialogues between partner countries and public–private partnerships. 

The event will bring together governments, EU institutions, international financial institutions, private-sector innovators, and research organizations to identify pathways for scaling technology-driven resilience solutions. The event also links directly to global processes such as the EU Green Deal, UNFSS+4, COP negotiations, and the 2030 Agenda.

Speakers

• Viorel Gutu, FAO Assistant Director-General, Regional representative for Europe and Central Asia
• Oleksii Sobolev, Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine 
• Antje Frehse, Director General of the Department 6. „EU Affairs, International Cooperation, Fisheries”, German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity