The world recognizes Ukraine’s role in the agricultural market: it was elected to the FAO Council
4 July 19:52
Ukraine has received a three-year mandate as a member of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The decision was made on July 4, 2025, during the FAO’s regular conference in Rome, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
“This event is a landmark for the Ukrainian agro-industrial complex and the business community working in the field of food, agricultural exports, humanitarian initiatives and logistics.
We sincerely thank FAO member states for supporting Ukraine’s candidacy. This mandate is a manifestation of trust and evidence of the international authority of our country, which is making every effort to strengthen global food security even in times of extreme challenges to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on Ukraine’s election to the FAO Council.
What is FAO and why should Ukraine become a member?
FAO is one of the key UN organizations that sets the global rules of the game in the areas of food security, hunger, climate change adaptation and sustainable rural development. The FAO Council consists of 149 member states (plus the European Union) that make strategic decisions, formulate policies and approve technical assistance programs.
Any state or regional economic integration organization that meets the requirements set out in the FAO Constitution may become a member of FAO. Territories or groups of territories that are not responsible for the conduct of their international affairs may be admitted to the Organization as associate members.
Ukraine, having received the Organization’s mandate, has the opportunity to directly influence these processes for the first time since the full-scale war.
Why did this happen now?
Ukraine’s election to the FAO’s governing body is evidence of international recognition of our country’s role as a key player in the global agricultural market. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is also a political signal of support for Ukrainian grain exports and the Grain from Ukraine program, which aims to help countries suffering from hunger.
In addition to Ukraine, Turkey, Italy, France, and Serbia were also elected to the FAO Council. Russia and Belarus did not receive support, which once again emphasized their international isolation.
This decision demonstrates the importance of maintaining Moscow’s international isolation. The aggressor and its accomplices have no place in the governing bodies of reputable international organizations. Russia’s loss was a natural result of its deliberate use of food as a weapon, theft of Ukrainian grain in the temporarily occupied territories, destruction of agricultural infrastructure in Ukraine, systematic shelling of Ukrainian ports and destabilization of world food markets, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine noted.
What opportunities are there for Ukraine?
Membership in the FAO Council is not only a diplomatic bonus, but also a practical tool for strengthening the position of Ukrainian business in the agricultural sector. This means:
The domestic agricultural sector will be supported by the international community. Ukraine will be prioritized in FAO programs on logistics, market access and overcoming export barriers.
Attracting investment and technical assistance for Ukraine. Participation in the Council provides access to analytical materials, advice and funding from FAO and related donor programs.
Expanding humanitarian initiatives. Ukrainian companies will be able to participate in FAO’s international tenders for the supply of food and equipment as part of aid projects.
Lobbying at the UN level. Ukraine will be able to defend the interests of its farmers in the issues of customs quotas, certification, and the restoration of logistics corridors across the Black Sea.
For Ukrainian companies working in the field of agro-industrial production, logistics, certification, and agro-innovation, Ukraine’s mandate as a member of the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a moment to revise its foreign economic strategy.
Potentially, this opens the door to participation in FAO projects, the creation of new partnerships in the Global South, and the expansion of presence in the markets of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
At the same time, economic experts advise Ukrainian business associations to communicate more actively with the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and FAO representatives to quickly access the opportunities offered by the new status.
Read also: FAO and the EU extended the call for grant applications: how to get up to $25,000
Ukraine in the UN Food Council: official Kyiv’s position
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already announced that it is stepping up work on new initiatives, including the expansion of the Grain from Ukraine program and the launch of joint educational and technical projects with the FAO.
According to Deputy Minister Andriy Sybiga, this election demonstrates that even in times of war, Ukraine not only preserves its agricultural potential but also shapes the international rules of the food game.
Ukraine’s membership in the FAO Council is more than a symbol. It is a chance to consolidate itself as an agricultural leader in the world, to influence global trends and to attract new resources for economic recovery.
Читайте нас у Telegram: головні новини коротко
