The 26th Agricultural Policy Forum (APF) under the title “Agricultural Policy Coherence in South-East Europe: EU Integration Dynamics, Institutional Reforms and Climate Adaptation” convened in Pristina, Kosovo*, from 3 to 4 June 2026. APF provided a platform for structured policy dialogue, technical exchange and regional cooperation to explore current challenges and opportunities in agriculture and rural development in South – East Europe (SEE).
The Forum brought together policymakers, governmental and non-governmental organizations, EU Member States, international institutions, and experts. Discussions focused on the most important challenges and opportunities facing the agricultural sector in the region, with a strong focus on EU accession, institutional reforms and climate adaptation.
The Agricultural Policy Forum 2026 was held under the joint auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development of Kosovo* and the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group (SWG) in South-East Europe.
The participants in Agricultural Policy Forum 2026 expressed their sincere appreciation for the support provided by the convening institutions and organizations: the European Commission (Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development), the German Government (Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity – BMLEH, and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development – BMZ), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM), and all partner institutions, experts and speakers who contributed to the successful implementation of APF 2026 in Prishtina.
The Forum underlined the importance of accelerating alignment with the European Union acquis and the Common Agricultural Policy, while strengthening institutional capacity, governance arrangements and implementation structures necessary for the effective delivery of reforms. It further noted that regional cooperation remains essential to addressing shared challenges related to climate adaptation, biodiversity protection, sustainable resource management, innovation uptake, trade development, market integration and rural resilience.
Through plenary sessions, thematic working groups, and policy discussions, the Forum strengthened regional cooperation, facilitated the exchange of experiences and best practices, and contributed to the preparation of the Prishtina Agenda 2026, a joint regional policy outcome supporting sustainable and resilient agricultural development in South-East Europe (SEE).
The primary objective of the Forum is to develop and adopt a policy document that will be presented to Ministers at the upcoming Ministerial Meeting. Furthermore, key elements of the document will be presented at the Berlin Process Summit in Podgorica. The Forum addressed several strategic issues of critical importance for the region, including agricultural policy development, EU integration, alignment with the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), regional forestry cooperation, generational renewal in rural areas, and food security. These themes formed the core of the discussions and will provide valuable guidance for future actions and policy development stated SWG Secretary General, Mr. Boban Ilic.
In a time of rapid change, the European Union remains the roadmap for the region’s future development, offering a framework built on stability, prosperity, and shared values. Achieving this vision requires continuous cooperation, innovative solutions, and strong partnerships among governments, institutions, farmers, researchers, and civil society stated Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development of Kosovo*, Mr. Armend Muja.
Plenary Session Presentations and Working Group results can be found here: https://apf.seerural.org/outputs/
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*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
