The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the signing of the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on the establishment of a Project Office in our country and the provision of technical and humanitarian aid to our country.

According to the decision of the Government adopted at the meeting on 27 September, Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Economy of Ukraine, is authorized to sign the Agreement. 

“Ukraine has long and fruitfully cooperated with the FAO – an organization whose mission is to fight hunger around the world. However, we already need help because of the war unleashed by russia. The FAO provides it, in particular, by implementing programs to support Ukrainian agrarians together with the governments of partner states,” Yuliia Svyrydenko noted, adding:

“The adoption of the Agreement and the establishment of an FAO office in Ukraine will allow to raise cooperation to a much higher level. This also applies to agricultural producer support programs and the provision of humanitarian aid to Ukrainians who find themselves in difficult life circumstances. We expect closer coordination in grain export. Ukraine will continue to help countries where the issue of food is acute. In the future, cooperation will contribute to the growth of Ukrainian exports and the achievement of our goal – the creation of an export-oriented economy with high added value.” 

With the commencement of the large-scale invasion of the russian federation, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations updated the Rapid Response Plan in Ukraine to help small Ukrainian farmers and medium-sized producers. As of mid-August, with funds allocated by countries and non-governmental organizations, the FAO provided emergency agricultural aid (seed material, multi-purpose monetary aid) to 80 thousand people in 13 regions of Ukraine.

With the financial support of, among others, Japan, Canada and the Minderoo Foundation, the FAO, together with the Government of Ukraine, implements the Grain Storage Support Strategy, the purpose of which is to help farmers with temporary means for storing crops and support Ukraine’s export potential at a high level. The strategy envisages supplying Ukrainian farmers with grain storage sleeves, loading and unloading equipment as well as modular grain warehouses. 

In general, the FAO plans to attract 180.4 million US dollars for the implementation of the Rapid Response Plan in Ukraine and the Grain Storage Support Strategy.

*For reference: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialized institution of the United Nations. The purpose of its activities is to ensure food security in the world, increase the level of nutrition and living standards in the member countries. FAO members include 194 countries and the EU. It has been cooperating with Ukraine since 2003, providing emergency agro-food aid and implementing development programs.

We remind you that the Government of Ukraine has also initiated and implements micro-grant programs for business opening and development.