The Polish president has said that his country “stands as an example of success that can be achieved by investing in agriculture and modernising the agri–food sector,” and is ready to share its experiences with the world’s poorest countries.
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda attends a panel discussion on agriculture and rural development at the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Doha, Qatar, on Monday, March 6, 2023. KPRP/Marek Borawski
Andrzej Duda made the statement in a speech at the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Doha, Qatar on Monday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The Polish president took part in a panel discussion on agriculture and rural development.
Ensuring security 'in food availability’
Addressing the gathering in a keynote speech, Poland’s head of state said: “Today’s realities require in particular to ensure security, not only in the military dimension, but also … in food availability.”
He stressed that the “secure supply of grain, drinking water, fresh food products, effective functioning of supply chains between Europe and Africa and the Middle East is currently hampered by the ongoing war in Ukraine.”
Duda stated: “That is why it is so important to support the least developed countries in agricultural and rural development so that they could ensure their own food security.”
Poland ready to share 'experience and capacities in agri–food sector’
The president said that Poland „actively engages in supporting entrepreneurship in the least developed countries, increasing their energy efficiency, seeking also to improve their water infrastructure and protect their biodiversity.”
He declared: “We are ready to expand this comprehensive package of support to also include our experience and capacities in the agri–food sector.”
Poland 'stands as an example of success’
Duda said: “My country stands as an example of success that can be achieved by investing in agriculture and modernising the agri–food sector.”
He added: “Currently, Poland is the fifth-largest food producer in the European Union with a 10.5 percent share in EU production. On a broader scale, we are high on the rankings when it comes to production and export of dairy products, meats, fruits, vegetables and grains in the world.”
According to the president, “the example of Poland proves how important the modernisation of the agri–food sector is for the entire economy.”
‘Poland has much to offer’
He reiterated: “Poland has much to offer, from finished products to know–how, which we will readily share in order to mutually develop bilateral economic relations.”
Duda told the conference that “the volume of trade in agricultural and food products between Poland and LDCs is small and limited to only a few groups of products that we offer,” but he said he believed that, „despite the differences in climate, distance and other barriers, together we can develop trade exchange in food products.”
The Polish head of state declared: “As president of Poland, I once again pledge our readiness to support you through our enterprises, which have adequate experience in modernising the sector and expanding their presence on foreign markets. Together we can achieve more.”
Later in the day, Duda held talks with Mozambique’s Prime Minister Adriano Maleiane on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, among other topics, reporters were told.
The Polish president was also due to meet with Rwanda’s Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente, officials said.
Later on Monday, Duda was scheduled to travel to the United Arab Emirates for talks with the country’s president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the PAP news agency reported.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, prezydent.pl