The 18th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) brought together agriculture ministers from around the globe, international decision-makers, experts and practitioners in Berlin to discuss the role of agriculture in global water resilience and food security under the overarching theme “Water. Harvests. Our Future.” The GFFA is held on 15 and 16th January in Berlin, Germany organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH) in cooperation with the Messe Berlin GmbH.
The Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group (SWG) in South East Europe presented its work at the Innovation Market of the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) 2026, through a dedicated stand showcasing key initiatives in the agricultural sector. The presentation highlighted SWG’s latest publications, analytical studies, and policy briefs focusing on agricultural policy developments and alignment with the EU acquis, with a particular emphasis on the Western Balkans and Moldova.
The SWG stand was honored by the visit of Parliamentary State Secretary Martina Englhardt-Kopf, who expressed interest in the presented work and engaged in discussions on current challenges and opportunities related to agricultural policy development and European integration in the region.
The highlight of the event was Ministers’ Meeting 2026, held in the framework of the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture which brought together Ministers of Agriculture and Heads of Delegations from South East Europe to discuss key priorities for the region. The meeting was chaired by Alois Rainer, Federal Minister of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, and Boban Ilic, Secretary General of the Standing Working Group (SWG).
Discussions focused on strengthening regional cooperation and political commitment, the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB), the political and legal framework, priorities for economic cooperation and trade, EU harmonisation processes, and improving competitiveness.
The Berlin Process provides a well-established political framework to bring together national, regional, and European initiatives. Joint efforts under the Berlin Process aim to support partner countries in meeting and sustainably implementing EU requirements by 2030
The European Commission (DG AGRI) underlined that EU accession is an investment in peace, security, and stability. BMLEH and the SWG, together with all Berlin Process partners, reaffirmed their shared view that the agri-food and forestry sectors are central to economic integration, regional stability, and a credible, performance-based path towards EU accession.
Joint efforts under the Berlin Process aim to support partner countries in meeting and sustainably implementing EU requirements by 2030. Administrative cooperation, digital tools, and improved data exchange were identified as key enablers of the Agricultural Policy Dialogue (APD) between BMLEH and SWG, which will enter its second phase in January 2026. This phase will be designed as an open platform, reflecting the spirit and objectives of the Berlin Process.
Berlin Notes-BMLEH-SWG Ministers Meeting 01_2026
Photo credits: BMLEH
