Business news from Ukraine

Ukraine has received significant international recognition: following a vote at the 44th session of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Ukraine has been elected to the FAO Council, one of the highest governing bodies of the Organization, according to SEEDS.

Ukraine’s mandate in the Council will run from July 1, 2024, until the end of the next conference in 2027. This decision is a recognition of Ukraine’s role as a guarantor of global food security, despite the ongoing war with Russia.

Representative of Ukraine – Oleksii Pinchuk

Oleksii Pinchuk, Director of the Department of International Cooperation and European Integration of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, acted as the official representative of Ukraine. He headed the Ukrainian delegation at the Conference and delivered a national statement on behalf of the Government of Ukraine.

“Together with our international partners, we participated in setting the FAO agenda for the coming years, including countering disinformation and blocking harmful initiatives proposed by the Russian delegation. I am proud that Ukraine’s leadership, resilience, and values are recognized in the global agricultural arena,” Oleksiy Pinchuk said.

Key results for Ukraine

1. Election to the FAO Council

Ukraine has gained a seat among the 49 member countries of the FAO Council, the body that shapes the organization’s policies and strategies. The support for Ukraine’s candidacy demonstrates international confidence in Ukraine’s agricultural capacity.

2. Statement by the Government of Ukraine

30 June 2025, Rome, Italy. 30 June 2025, Rome, Italy. A group photo at the end of the Inaugural FAO Treaty Ceremony during the 3rd day of the 44th Session of the FAO Conference. FAO Headquarters (Plenary Hall).
Photo credit must be given: ©FAO/Pier Paolo Cito. Editorial use only

In its speech, the delegation emphasized:

• its readiness to promote sustainable agricultural development,
• implement climate-friendly solutions,
• and support small and medium-sized farms.
• Critical needs were also outlined:
• large-scale demining of agricultural land,
• restoration of rural infrastructure,
• systematic support for farmers in the post-war period.

3. Accession to the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA)

Ukraine has officially become a party to this international treaty aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. This is another step towards harmonizing Ukraine’s fisheries policy with international standards.

4. Active participation in shaping FAO policy

Ukraine joined the vote on the priorities for the FAO’s activities:

• attempts by Russia to impose harmful initiatives were blocked,
• and the decision to counter disinformation in the agricultural sector was supported.

What does this mean for Ukraine’s agricultural sector?

This means a direct impact on global decisions:

1. Ukraine participates in the development of key FAO documents on food, climate, security, and innovation.
2. A diplomatic victory against Russia and Belarus. Despite their nominations, these countries were not elected to the Council.
3. Attracting funding and support for farmers

Ukraine will be able to strengthen international assistance programs, in particular:

• for farmers in combat zones,
• within the framework of demining, digitalization, and climate resilience programs, using mechanisms for compensation for losses (in particular, the EU-supported Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression).

Looking ahead

Ukraine plans to:

• implement large-scale programs for frontline farmers (seeds, equipment, greenhouses, irrigation systems)
• strengthen cooperation with international donors and countries of the Global South
• become more actively involved in the transformation of global food systems.

“Ukraine’s election to the FAO Council is not just a symbolic gesture, but a real tool of influence that enables our country to promote the interests of farmers at the global level. In these difficult times of war, Ukraine remains an active participant in shaping international food policy,” commented Kateryna Zvereva, Development Director of the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association and international consultant to the FAO.

Official statement by Ukraine at the 44th session of the FAO Conference

During the session, the Ukrainian delegation delivered a comprehensive statement, which was read out by Oleksiy Pinchuk. It detailed:

• the scale of losses in the agricultural sector due to the war (over $84 billion),

• facts about Russia’s use of food as a weapon,

• Ukraine’s role as a responsible global partner — even in wartime,

• a call to the international community to support initiatives such as Grain from Ukraine,

• the importance of demining, innovation, and agricultural recovery.

The full text of Ukraine’s statement is available on the FAO’s official website at the link