Ukraine on its way to joining the OECD’s Research Programme on Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems
Ukraine is finalizing the process of its accession to the Steering Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s Joint Research Programme on Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems. This is aimed to strengthen international cooperation in agricultural science, enable participation in joint research, and facilitate the use of best practices to revitalize and modernize the agricultural sector.
The aforesaid prospects were discussed during the first meeting of the Program’s Steering Committee with Ukraine’s participation, with Denys Bashlyk, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine joining the session. He presented Ukraine’s scientific potential, priority areas for cooperation, and the vision for Ukrainian institutions’ participation in OECD projects.
“For Ukraine, participation in the Programme is a practical tool for integration into the international research community. Our agricultural sector operates under wartime conditions while maintaining production, food supply chains, and export potential. At the same time, Ukraine has experience in restoring damaged land and adapting production to security and climate risks. This can reinforce the joint efforts of OECD countries toward sustainable agricultural and food systems,” noted Denys Bashlyk.
According to him, Ukraine has a strong scientific basis for participating in the Program. More than 5,000 Ukrainian researchers stand ready to join international projects.
The National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine plays a key role in this process, coordinating a network of institutions in the fields of crop production, animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, agricultural economics, and innovation.
Among the areas where Ukrainian expertise can be particularly useful are soil restoration following military operations, climate adaptation in agriculture, and the conservation of plant genetic resources. Other promising areas for cooperation include veterinary medicine, the bioeconomy, modern agricultural processing, aquaculture, forestry, and biotechnology.
Ukrainian research institutions are already participating in international data exchange systems. In particular, over 107,000 accession records of plant genetic resources have been submitted to the European EURISCO Catalogue. These achievements confirm Ukraine’s readiness to participate in international scientific projects.
Joining the Steering Committee of the OECD Program will bring Ukrainian agricultural science closer to European standards and the practical needs of recovery. For partners, Ukraine can be a source of solutions tested under conditions of war, destructive damage to production infrastructure, and constant risks to food security.
Background information
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is an international organization that brings together countries and partners to develop effective solutions in the areas of public policy, economic development, social welfare, innovation, environmental transformation, and other fields. The OECD works with over 100 countries worldwide, providing analysis, comparative data, recommendations, and platforms for sharing best practices.