Regional Initiative on Agri-Food Trade and Regional Integration Europe and Central Asia Inclusive policy dialogue to make trade policies conducive to food security and nutrition FSN Workshop 16 December 2014 Aron Thuroczy Agricultural Policy and Economics Junior Technical Officer FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia

Background – What are regional initiatives?

Background – Agri-Food Trade and Regional Integration Regional Initiative

CIS regional and global trade integration Source: UNCTADSTAT

Engagement to trade negotiations 1998 WTO entry of Kyrgyzstan WTO entry of Georgia WTO entry of Rep. Moldova WTO entry of Armenia WTO entry of Ukraine WTO entry of Russian Fed WTO entry of Tajikistan WTO observer governments: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan 2014 EU DCFTAs Ukraine, Rep. Moldova, Georgia Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and the Russian Fed Eurasian Economic Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Russian Fed. and Armenia CIS Free Trade Agreement among Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Rep. Moldova, Russian Fed., Ukraine and Tajikistan (Uzbekistan in 2013)

The Regional Initiative Aims to strengthen national and regional capacities to deal effectively with the challenges posed by greater trade integration Four main elements: Developing evidence Improving the capacity of the countries to use this evidence Facilitating neutral forums and dialogues Supporting the design and implementation at country level

Trade and Regional Integration for Growth and Food Security Trade Agreements Food Safety and Normative Technical Guidelines Wheat Trade and Food Security Free Trade Agreements in CIS WTO Agreements Training Dialogue on Multilateral Trade Issues Research and Policy Dialogue on Single Market in the EU and the Customs Union Volatility and Wheat Trade in CIS Wheat Production and Trade in 6 leading CIS wheat producers Food Safety Risk Analysis Methods and Communication Food Safety Legal Framework Capacity development for participation in Codex work

Focus countries Delivery at country level The Republic of Moldova: – Technical assistance to modernize food safety system in the Republic of Moldova by integration of risk analysis framework Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan: – Technical assistance to develop capacity in food safety risk management of food processing enterprises and national authorities in both countries

FAO work in CIS related food security Strengthening of information system for food security (KG and TJ, and in fours other countries: AR, AZ, GE, and MD – completed) Food Balance Sheets (FBS) training for users and for producers National Food Price Tool (KG, TJ, AZ) Regular cereals production and food security monitoring (GIEWS): food prices, country briefs, crop prospects

Partnership approach in the region Getting more attention in FAO’s work Three main forms in the region: 1.Regional Consultative Mechanism 2.Regional platforms 3.National level partnerships between governments and non-state actors + National platforms National level example: Kyrgyzstan Food Security National Platform (FSNP)

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