Belgium: Brussels – Civil Diplomat Jethro Dr. Patrick Van den Eede attends the Global Food Crisis Conference at the European Parliament

When agricultural operations are sustainably managed, the sector can help protect watersheds, and improve soil health and water quality.

Agriculture is the world’s largest industry, employing more than one billion people and generating over 1.3 trillion dollars worth of food annually.

However, the recent global pandemic and War in Ukraine have shown the world how susceptible our fragile food supply lines and security are to disruption. Russia’s military operations and attacks on transport infrastructure and crops in Ukraine have hampered the export of Ukrainian agricultural products and caused prices to increase to record levels, putting the food supply for millions of people at high risk.

Mr. Patrick Van den Eede, the President of The Soul of Europe, was cordially invited to attend a Conference on the Global Food Crisis on the “Grain Export Deal” panel together with the European Commissioner of Agriculture.

Protecting food security requires forward thinking, strong planning a wide network of dependable partners. While unexpected shocks like a global health crisis and conflict can impact the world’s food supply – climate change and limited resources are long-term issues that must be addressed with serious public and private sector commitments to sustainable agriculture.

This timely event was a great opportunity to discuss the “Grain Export Deal” together with Mr. H.E. Janusz Wojciechowski, the European Commissioner for Agriculture, and distinguished experts and guests.

Also attended the Conference:

Mr. Ryszard Czarnecki – Member of the European Parliament

Mr. Oleksandr Kubrakov – Ukraine’s Minister of Infrastructure

Mr. H.E. Faruk Kaymakci – Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkiye & Director of EU Affairs

Ms. Julika Luts – Counselor of the Estonian Mission to the EU

Ms. Ismini Palla: Coordinator for the Black Sea Grain Initiative, UN

Mr. Nirj Deva – Presidential Envoy for Siri Lanka, Former Member of the European Parliament

Mr. Samuel Ramani – Royal United Service Institute Associate Fellow

Ms. Ece Baban – Professor Fenerbahce University

Mr. Luca Contrino – Chargé de Mission Europe AREFLH

Mr. Slavomir Marcin Matuszak – Senior Fellow at the Center of Eastern Studies – Department for Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova