The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and their partners organised the „Sustainability and agribusiness challenges/opportunities in the context of climate changes and geopolitics” conference. The event took place on Wednesday, 22 November 2023 and it was moderated by Teodora Ghenciu.

The conference served as a platform for in-depth discussions on dilemmas and solutions pertaining to economically, environmentally, and socially viable practices in the agriculture sector. The event showcased a range of impactful components, including speeches, presentations, and the launch of a comprehensive booklet on Dutch-inspired solutions for effective water-soil management.

The event attracted a diverse audience comprising farmers, agri-food businesses, professional associations, authorities, policy experts, and students, professors, and researchers from Romania and the Netherlands.

The happening was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including Willemijn van Haaften, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Sorin Moise, State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Key features of the conference included: Speeches and Presentations, the launch of the Booklet „Dutch-Inspired Good Practices for Water-Soil Management” and „Water-Energy-Food Nexus” Posters Competition Award Ceremony.

“This afternoon, our embassy has curated a comprehensive programme addressing the pressing challenges facing agriculture and agribusiness—climate change and geopolitical uncertainties. I am a firm believer that through exchange, inspiration, and collaboration, we can navigate these challenges, discovering new and more sustainable methods to produce and ensure the availability of food products. The promotion of sustainable and resilient food systems is a central policy focus in the EU, and in the Netherlands, we are dedicated to working collectively with our partners”, said Willemijn van Haaften, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

“The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly visible in Romania and internationally, posing a threat to biodiversity. Sustainable farming is a priority on the European Union’s agenda as well. The implementation of sustainable solutions has a significant contribution to environmental protection and also contributes to the long-term success of a business”, stated Sorin Moise, State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In her presentation, Daniela Giurcă underlined several important factors: “The European Union aims to become the first climate-neutral economy and society by 2050, with an interim goal of reducing emissions across Europe by at least 55% compared to 1990 levels by 2030. Romania has already reduced emissions between 1990 and 2018 by 53%; however, an additional reduction of 3.9% is still required to meet the ‘Fit for 55’ targets by 2030.”

The Embassy commissioned the and produced the „Dutch-Inspired Good Practices for Water-Soil Management” booklet, meticulously researched and compiled by the Center of Excellence for Agri Education and VHL University, highlighting the best practices for water-soil management. The e-version of the booklet is now available on https://agrieduportal.com/ courtesy of the Center of Excellence, starting from 22 November 2023.

On-location, displays of Water-Energy-Food Nexus posters were accompanied by the prestigious awarding ceremony of the WEF Challenge poster competition for students from the Netherlands and Romania. The competition saw the submission of approximately 50 posters from both countries.

The WEF Nexus Challenge Winners are Alexandra Hirsch, from Babeş-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca representing Romania, Martijn Bloem & Marloes Hogeweg, from Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences, Velp, representing the Netherlands.