Created: 2026.06.05. 08:59
Recently, lecturers from the Albert Kázmér Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at Széchenyi István University participated in the Regional Conference for Europe, organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), via online platform. Among the fifty member state representatives attending the programme in Tajikistan were Professor Gergely Bernáth and Dr Attila Kiss, Vice-Dean for Innovation. The latter also delivered a presentation.
The FAO recently convened its 35th Regional Conference for Europe. Experts from the Faculty were involved in the preparatory work for the programme, contributing scientific expertise from the higher education and research sectors to support evidence-based policymaking related to sustainable and resilient agri-food systems.
The FAO Regional Conference for Europe, which was recently held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, brought together representatives of fifty member states, international organisations, civil society stakeholders, research institutions, and the private sector. Széchenyi István University was represented by Professor Attila Kiss, Vice-Dean for Innovation at the Albert Kázmér Faculty, and Professor Gergely Bernáth. On the third day of the event, Professor Kiss gave a presentation entitled ‘Regional Strategic Foresight and Future Analyses’.
Dr Attila Kiss, Vice Dean for Innovation at the Albert Kázmér Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at Széchenyi István University, and Dr Gergely Bernáth participated in the 35th FAO Regional Conference for Europe. (Photo: András Adorján)
The conference focused on the sustainable transformation of agri-food systems in response to climate change, geopolitical challenges, and the need to conserve biodiversity and halt soil degradation. The conference also addressed the need to strengthen resilience and develop financing mechanisms. According to Dr Attila Kiss, the three-day programme also emphasised the importance of secure land tenure, integrated spatial planning, soil biodiversity, and agroecological solutions.
„The conference placed particular emphasis on the ‘One Health’ approach, which seeks to connect human, animal, and environmental health, Participants agreed that transboundary animal diseases continue to pose a serious threat across the region, „ stated the Vice-Dean. He added that significant attention was devoted to the application of artificial intelligence, remote sensing technologies and regional data platforms among the key innovation priorities.
Dr Kiss further explained that the conference had made several recommendations concerning the development of multi-risk monitoring systems, the preservation of genetic diversity and the creation of a regional knowledge-sharing platform. “Participants emphasised the importance of regional cooperation, sustainable and inclusive investments, innovation and digitalisation, and diversifying supply chains,” he noted.
He also pointed out that the programme reinforced the importance of education, research, data collection, and statistical systems in supporting policymaking. In addition, participants endorsed the FAO’s regional priorities for 2026–2027, which focus on inclusive rural transformation and livelihood development, fostering environments that promote healthy diets, and enhancing natural resource management and climate adaptation.
