“We export our food all over the world. Today, it is a huge, very important part of our economy and our GDP. For Poland, agriculture is an extremely important part of the industry. That is why I am here and why I am meeting you, because ensuring food security is a fundamental issue. We have to share and we should share”, said Polish President Andrzej Duda at the opening of the World Food Forum in Rome.

President Duda stressed that Poland would seek to increase pressure on Russia to end its aggression and withdraw from Ukrainian territories. He pointed out that Russian actions have significantly exacerbated the growing global food crisis, including as a result of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Russia has prevented and then restricted food and agricultural exports from Ukraine, which is one of the world’s most important producers of food and agricultural crops”, he added.

“According to the World Food Programme, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, also supported by the Belarusian regime, is leading to a serious threat to food security not only for Ukrainians, but for as many as 345 million people in 82 countries”, recalled Andrzej Duda, adding that as a result of this war, the number of people suffering from chronic hunger could increase by up to 47 million.

According to the Polish President, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine also distances the world from achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including the objectives of peace, justice and strong institutions, economic growth and decent work, as well as reducing inequality, eliminating hunger and poverty.

According to the head of the Presidential Office for International Policy, Jakub Kumoch, during his visit to Italy, President Duda will hold talks with the UN Director-General for Food and Agriculture, Qu Dongyu, as well as with the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella.

Adrian Andrzejewski