Twenty-eighth FAO Regional Conference for Europe (ERC)

The twenty-eighth FAO European Regional Conference (ERC) and the thirty-seventh session of the European Commission on Agriculture (ECA) will be held at the Hilton Hotel (Azadlig Av.1) in Baku, Azerbaijan from 16-20 April 2012. This conference week in Baku also includes an NGOs/CSOs Consultation meeting.

This 28th ERC is being hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan.

Representatives from 53 member countries and one member organization have been invited to the meeting. Observers from international non-governmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations and United Nations organizations have also been invited.

The ECA is a preparation meeting for the European Regional Conference. The agenda of its 37th Session on 17-18 April 2012 includes the implementation of the 2012-2013 Program of Work and Budget (PWB) for the European and Central Asia region as well as discussions on land and gender equality issues.

The main item on the agenda of the ERC (19 April 2012) is a ministerial round table on the policies for food security in the region, and particularly the coming challenges and perspectives based on a background paper which makes projections and estimates up to 2050. Member countries will have the opportunity to discuss specific short and long-term recommendations aimed at enhancing regional and global food security, policy actions and institutional set-up.

The Regional Conference Week will be supplemented by side events and small exhibitions to provide a platform for exchange and discussion among the delegates and observers from the member countries of the region.

Source: FAO