(KPL/Prensa Latina) The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), at its headquarters in Rome, hosts the 34th session of the FAO regional conference for Europe and Central Asia.

A note from the FAO press office points out that the event, which began on Tuesday and will end on Friday, is attended by representatives from 53 countries. Its purpose is to establish priorities and guide efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“While countries in Europe and Central Asia face conflict and environmental challenges, they are well positioned to pursue the sustainable transformation of agri-food systems and have already taken steps to achieve many of the main SDGs,” noted the director general of the FAO, QU Dongyu, in the opening speech.

“Globally, we are facing critical times marked by food insecurity and declining prosperity,” said Qu, who reiterated that upholding peace is a prerequisite for food security and the right to food as a basic human right.

In his speech, the FAO leader urged member countries to take the lead “at national, regional and beyond levels” in achieving agreed objectives, in particular, to increase the resilience of agri-food markets, as well as to provide humanitarian and social protection responses to vulnerable groups.

Qu outlined the priorities of empowering small farmers, family farms and youth, transforming agri-food systems, facilitating market access and integration, as well as managing natural resources sustainably, and preserving biodiversity.

KPL