On January 27, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Mariana Betsa met with the Head of the Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Ukraine, Shakhnoza Muminova.

The MFA initiated the meeting to discuss ways to further strengthen FAO support and develop cooperation in the agricultural sector aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s food and energy sustainability in the context of the ongoing armed aggression by the Russian Federation.

Mariana Betsa expressed her appreciation to FAO for its consistent and practical support to Ukraine and emphasized the challenges currently facing the agricultural sector, particularly in frontline regions, as well as the need to strengthen international support for humanitarian demining.

The parties also discussed the issue of energy sustainability in the agricultural sector. The Deputy Minister noted the importance of FAO’s support in providing Ukrainian farmers with energy-generating equipment, which remains one of the most critical needs for sustaining agricultural production.

Mariana Betsa emphasized that, despite the war, Ukraine remains one of the key producers and exporters of food and is committed to fruitful cooperation within the framework of the FAO Council, to which Ukraine was re-elected, including in the context of implementing joint initiatives.

In turn, Shakhnoza Muminova assured continued support for FAO’s activities in Ukraine and expressed readiness to deepen cooperation, particularly with the aim of strengthening the resilience of agri-food systems in the most affected regions.

Separately, the parties discussed joint steps aimed at the effective implementation of the Emergency Response and Early Recovery Plan for 2026–2028, as well as other practical aspects of cooperation.