--- title: "Polish–Ukrainian conference 2026 — Poznań | Model Diplomat" description: "Polish–Ukrainian conference: Current challenges for agricultural activity, including the war in Ukraine, innovation, climate change – legal, economic and…" url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/conferences/professional/polishukrainian-conference-current-challenges-for-agricultural-activity-including-the-war-in-ukraine-innovation-climate-change-legal-economic-and-financial-aspects-2026" --- # Polish–Ukrainian conference: Current challenges for agricultural activity, including the war in Ukraine, innovation, climate change – legal, economic and financial aspects Apr 20, 2026[Poznań, Poland](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1\&query=Pozna%C5%84%2C%20Poland)In-person [Registration open](https://international.knu.ua/en/2026/04/09/polish-ukrainian-conference-at-adam-mickiewicz-university-poznan/) The Polish-Ukrainian conference in Poznań, Poland will address the multifaceted challenges confronting agricultural activity, with a particular focus on the impacts of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The event will delve into legal, economic, and financial aspects, exploring how innovation and climate change interact with these factors to shape the future of agriculture in the region. This gathering provides a critical platform for experts from both nations to collaborate on solutions and strategies for resilience. ## Committees & topics - Topics Agricultural Activity in Poland and Ukraine · The War in Ukraine and Its Agricultural Dimension · Innovation in the Agri-Food Sector · Climate Change and European Agriculture · Legal Aspects of Agricultural Policy · Economic Aspects of Agricultural Activity · Financial Aspects of Agricultural Activity ## Why it matters The agricultural sector in both POL and UKR faces significant pressures, exacerbated by geopolitical events and environmental shifts. The conflict in UKR has profoundly disrupted supply chains, production capacities, and market dynamics, creating urgent needs for adaptation and recovery. Simultaneously, the broader implications of [climate](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/climate) change, including altered weather patterns and resource scarcity, demand innovative approaches to ensure food security and sustainable practices. This conference is vital because it brings together key stakeholders to analyze these complex interdependencies. By examining the legal frameworks, economic implications, and financial mechanisms, participants can identify actionable strategies to mitigate risks and foster agricultural stability. The discussions are expected to contribute to a deeper understanding of how international cooperation and policy adjustments can support the agricultural communities grappling with these concurrent crises. ## How to prepare Participants preparing for this conference should focus on the intersection of geopolitical conflict, [climate](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/climate) change, and agricultural policy. A thorough understanding of the current state of agricultural production and trade relations between POL and UKR is essential. Research into the specific legal and economic challenges faced by farmers and agricultural businesses in both countries will be beneficial. Consider how international aid, investment, and trade agreements can be leveraged to support agricultural recovery and development. Analyze the role of innovation in addressing both the immediate impacts of conflict and the long-term effects of climate change on food systems. Familiarity with the Model Diplomat lesson on "Engagement Strategies" could prove useful in understanding how to foster productive dialogue and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, while "What Is Stakeholder Mapping?" can help identify key actors and their interests in the agricultural sector. ## Country perspectives Where the most-relevant 2 countries stand on the core issues in play. Click through for the full country profile. [Poland](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) [As a host nation and a key neighbor to the conflict, POL is deeply invested in regional agricultural stability and supporting UKR's recovery.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) [Role in topic](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) [POL plays a crucial role as a transit hub for Ukrainian agricultural exports and has experienced direct impacts on its own agricultural markets due to the conflict. The country is also a significant agricultural producer within Europe and is actively seeking sustainable solutions to climate change challenges. POL's perspective will likely emphasize regional cooperation, trade facilitation, and the integration of Ukrainian agricultural practices into broader European standards.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) [Ukraine](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) [UKR is directly affected by the conflict, facing severe disruptions to its agricultural production, infrastructure, and export capabilities.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) [Role in topic](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) [UKR is a major global agricultural producer, and the ongoing conflict has devastated its agricultural sector, impacting food security worldwide. The country's perspective will focus on immediate recovery needs, reconstruction efforts, and strategies to rebuild its agricultural capacity while adapting to new logistical and market realities. Discussions will likely highlight the need for international support, investment in resilient farming practices, and legal frameworks to protect agricultural land and resources during wartime and in post-conflict scenarios.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) ## Topics & background The background behind each topic and the actors that shape it. 1 ### Agricultural Activity in Poland and Ukraine Agriculture is a structurally significant sector for both Poland and Ukraine, anchoring rural employment, food security, and export earnings. Poland, an EU member since 2004, operates under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which conditions direct payments, rural development funding, and market interventions on EU-wide standards covering food safety, animal welfare, and environmental protection. Ukraine, historically described as Europe's breadbasket because of its chernozem soils, has built a large grain and oilseed export complex dominated by agroholdings and smallholders, supplying global markets through Black Sea ports. The two systems have grown more entangled since 2022, when Russia's full-scale invasion disrupted Black Sea logistics and the EU opened Solidarity Lanes and temporary trade liberalization for Ukrainian agri-food products. The resulting flows of Ukrainian grain, sugar, poultry, and oilseeds into and through Central Europe triggered repeated farmer protests in Poland and unilateral import restrictions in 2023, which the European Commission and Kyiv have tried to manage through bilateral licensing and safeguard mechanisms. Ukraine's EU accession process, opened in 2022 and progressing through screening since 2024, has placed long-term questions about CAP reform, market access, and competition with Polish producers at the center of the bilateral agenda. Key players - [Poland](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) [EU member state and frontline neighbor whose farmers face direct competition from liberalized Ukrainian imports.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) - [Ukraine](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) [Major grain and oilseed exporter seeking EU accession and stable transit through Polish territory.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) - [Germany](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) [Largest EU economy shaping CAP reform and the bloc's stance on Ukrainian agricultural integration.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) - [France](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/france) [Leading CAP beneficiary and traditional defender of European farm protections.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/france) - [Russia](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/russia) [Blockading and targeting Ukrainian export infrastructure, reshaping global grain trade flows.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/russia) 2 ### The War in Ukraine and Its Agricultural Dimension Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched on 24 February 2022, escalated a conflict that began in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and the proxy war in Donbas. The invasion has produced Europe's largest land war since 1945, mass civilian displacement, the destruction of energy and port infrastructure, and the contamination of vast tracts of farmland with mines and unexploded ordnance. According to UN and FAO assessments, Ukraine has lost control or productive use of significant portions of its arable land, while attacks on Odesa-region ports and Danube terminals have repeatedly disrupted grain exports. The July 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the UN and Türkiye, temporarily restored seaborne shipments until Russia withdrew in July 2023. Ukraine then established a unilateral maritime corridor and expanded land and Danube routes through the EU's Solidarity Lanes, with Poland serving as the principal transit country. The war's agricultural fallout — price volatility, demining costs, labor shortages, and rerouted trade — remains a central concern for both Warsaw and Kyiv, and shapes EU policy on sanctions, reconstruction financing, and the future integration of Ukrainian agriculture into the single market. Key players - [Ukraine](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) [Defending state whose agricultural base and export logistics are direct targets of the war.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) - [Russia](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/russia) [Aggressor state blockading Black Sea routes and striking Ukrainian grain infrastructure.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/russia) - [Poland](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) [Key logistical hub for Ukrainian exports and major military and humanitarian supporter of Kyiv.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) - [Turkey](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/turkey) [Co-broker of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and gatekeeper of the Turkish Straits.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/turkey) - [United States](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) [Principal provider of military, financial, and food-security assistance to Ukraine.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) 3 ### Innovation in the Agri-Food Sector Innovation in agriculture has accelerated under pressure from labor shortages, climate volatility, input price shocks, and tightening environmental rules. Precision agriculture, satellite-based monitoring (including Copernicus services), variable-rate application of fertilizers and pesticides, autonomous machinery, and farm management software have moved from pilot projects toward mainstream adoption in EU member states. Biotechnology debates have shifted as well: in 2023 the European Commission proposed a new regulatory regime for plants produced by certain new genomic techniques (NGTs), distinguishing them from older GMO rules and reopening a contested policy file. Poland's agricultural research institutes and a growing agritech start-up scene have engaged with EU Horizon Europe funding and CAP innovation partnerships, while Ukraine — despite the war — has continued to digitalize land registries, deploy drone-based crop monitoring, and attract investment in storage and processing. Bridging the two innovation ecosystems faces challenges around intellectual property protection, data governance, interoperability of standards, and access to capital, but is increasingly framed as essential both to wartime resilience and to post-war reconstruction. Key players - [Poland](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) [Hosts a growing agritech sector and channels EU innovation funding into Central European agriculture.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) - [Ukraine](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) [Adopts digital tools and precision agriculture to sustain output under wartime conditions.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) - [Germany](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) [Leading source of agricultural machinery, biotech research, and Industry 4.0 standards.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) - [Netherlands](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/netherlands) [Global hub for high-tech horticulture, agri-food research, and seed innovation.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/netherlands) - [United States](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) [Major source of agritech capital, biotech traits, and digital farming platforms.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) 4 ### Climate Change and European Agriculture Agriculture is both a victim and a contributor to climate change: the sector accounts for roughly 10–12% of EU greenhouse gas emissions and faces mounting losses from droughts, heatwaves, floods, and shifting pest ranges. Central and Eastern Europe, including Poland and Ukraine, have experienced repeated drought years since 2015, with measurable impacts on cereal yields, livestock feed costs, and water availability in the Vistula and Dnipro basins. The 2015 Paris Agreement and subsequent EU climate legislation — the European Climate Law, the 'Fit for 55' package, and the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies under the European Green Deal — have set binding emission-reduction and land-use targets that directly affect farming. Implementation has proven politically difficult. The 2024 wave of EU farmer protests prompted the Commission to roll back several Green Deal requirements, including elements of the Sustainable Use Regulation on pesticides and certain CAP conditionality rules. Ukraine, as a candidate state, is gradually aligning with EU climate acquis while simultaneously confronting war-driven environmental damage, including soil contamination, forest fires, and destroyed irrigation systems following the 2023 Kakhovka dam breach. Reconciling climate ambition with farm-sector viability is now a defining policy tension for both countries. Key players - [Poland](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) [Balances Green Deal obligations with strong coal- and farm-sector political resistance.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) - [Ukraine](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) [Aligns with EU climate rules while addressing massive war-related environmental damage.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) - [Germany](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) [Drives EU climate ambition and funds large shares of the bloc's green transition.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) - [France](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/france) [Shapes CAP greening rules and led pushback against several Farm to Fork measures.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/france) - [Netherlands](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/netherlands) [Tests the political limits of nitrogen reduction and intensive-livestock climate policy.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/netherlands) 5 ### Legal Aspects of Agricultural Policy The legal architecture governing Polish and Ukrainian agriculture sits at the intersection of EU law, WTO disciplines, and domestic statutes. For Poland, the CAP regulations (notably Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 establishing the 2023–2027 CAP Strategic Plans), the EU food law framework under Regulation 178/2002, plant protection rules, and state aid law structure nearly every aspect of farm policy. Land ownership, cooperative law, and rural inheritance remain matters of national competence, generating recurrent disputes over foreign acquisition of agricultural land. Ukraine's legal framework has undergone rapid change: the moratorium on agricultural land sales was lifted in stages from 2021, opening a regulated land market for the first time since independence. Since 2022, Ukraine has accelerated harmonization with the EU acquis under its Association Agreement and candidate-country obligations, including food safety, animal health, geographical indications, and competition rules. Cross-cutting legal questions now include the design of safeguard clauses for sensitive products, dispute settlement under the EU-Ukraine DCFTA, liability for war-related environmental damage, and the legal status of frozen Russian assets potentially earmarked for agricultural reconstruction. Key players - [Poland](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) [Implements CAP law domestically and litigates safeguard measures on Ukrainian imports.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) - [Ukraine](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) [Harmonizes its agri-food law with the EU acquis as part of accession negotiations.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) - [Germany](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) [Influential voice on EU food, competition, and state aid jurisprudence.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) - [France](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/france) [Key shaper of CAP legal architecture and geographical-indication protections.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/france) - [Belgium](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/belgium) [Hosts EU institutions where agricultural legislation is negotiated and adopted.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/belgium) 6 ### Economic Aspects of Agricultural Activity The economic context for Polish and Ukrainian agriculture has been defined since 2020 by a sequence of shocks: the COVID-19 disruption, the 2021–2022 energy and fertilizer price spike, the invasion of Ukraine and resulting grain-market dislocation, and persistent inflation in input costs. Poland's farm sector — roughly 1.3 million holdings, the largest by number in the EU — depends heavily on CAP direct payments for income stability and has seen rising concentration alongside a persistent smallholder base. Ukraine's agri-food complex generated more than 40% of merchandise export earnings before the war and remains macro-critical even with reduced volumes. The central economic disputes today concern competition between Ukrainian and EU producers under the autonomous trade measures regime, the future of CAP budgets if Ukraine accedes (Commission and think-tank analyses suggest substantial reallocations would be required), the cost-pass-through of climate and animal welfare rules, and the productivity gap between large-scale agroholdings and family farms. Currency volatility, war-risk insurance for Black Sea shipping, and the cost of demining farmland further complicate investment decisions. Key players - [Poland](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) [Largest CAP beneficiary by number of holdings and a frontline market for Ukrainian exports.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) - [Ukraine](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) [Major global exporter whose agri-food sector underpins wartime macroeconomic stability.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) - [Germany](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) [Largest EU economy and key net contributor shaping CAP budgetary debates.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) - [France](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/france) [Top CAP recipient and central voice on EU farm-income economics.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/france) - [China](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) [Major buyer of Ukrainian and EU agri-food products, influencing global price formation.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) 7 ### Financial Aspects of Agricultural Activity Financing agriculture in both countries combines public support, commercial credit, and increasingly climate- and ESG-linked instruments. In Poland, CAP Pillar I direct payments and Pillar II rural development funds — co-financed from the EU budget and the national exchequer — remain the backbone of farm finance, complemented by lending from cooperative banks, BGK guarantee schemes, and EIB-backed credit lines. Risk management tools such as subsidized crop insurance and disaster compensation have expanded after successive drought and flood years. Ukraine's wartime agricultural finance has relied on emergency liquidity from the National Bank of Ukraine, partial credit guarantees, donor-backed programs from the EBRD, IFC, and World Bank, and bilateral support from the EU, United States, and Japan. The EU's Ukraine Facility (2024–2027) and G7 commitments channel reconstruction funds, while discussions continue on using proceeds from immobilized Russian sovereign assets. Looking forward, green finance, parametric insurance for climate risks, and blended finance for demining and irrigation rehabilitation are emerging priorities, even as high interest rates and war-risk premia constrain private investment. Key players - [Poland](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) [Channels CAP funds and national guarantees to stabilize farm incomes and investment.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) - [Ukraine](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) [Depends on donor and IFI financing to sustain agricultural production during the war.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) - [Germany](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) [Leading bilateral donor and major contributor to EU financial support packages.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) - [United States](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) [Provides significant budget support and agricultural credit guarantees to Ukraine.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) - [United Kingdom](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-kingdom) [Key player in war-risk insurance markets via Lloyd's and in Ukraine reconstruction finance.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-kingdom) - [Japan](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/japan) [Major G7 financier of Ukraine's macroeconomic stability and rural recovery programs.](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/japan) ## Resources News, lessons, and country profiles to prep for Polish–Ukrainian conference: Current challenges for agricultural activity, including the war in Ukraine, innovation, climate change – legal, economic and financial aspects. Recent reporting to ground your prep [US Job Openings at 6.7M](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/us-job-openings-at-67m-implications-for-2026-elections) [Trump's Economic Reset](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/trumps-economic-reset-aiming-to-tackle-high-gas-prices) [Trump's Economic Approval Hits 30% Amid Iran](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/trumps-economic-approval-plummets-to-30-amid-iran-tensions) [GOP Promotes Trump's Tax Savings on Deadline](https://modeldiplomat.com/story/gop-highlights-trumps-tax-savings-on-filing-deadline-day) Lessons Bite-sized lessons to build the basics [Dynamic Analysis](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/dynamic-analysis) [Hidden Stakeholders](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/hidden-stakeholders) [Engagement Strategies](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/engagement-strategies) [Stakeholder Mapping Workshop](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/stakeholder-workshop) Courses Guided courses that go deeper on the topic [Advanced Negotiation](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/courses/advanced-negotiation) [Multilateral Negotiation](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/courses/multilateral-negotiation) [Policy Brief Writing](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/courses/policy-brief) [Conflict Resolution](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/courses/conflict-resolution) The states in play, with the data that shapes their stance [Poland](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/poland) [Ukraine](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/ukraine) [Germany](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/germany) [France](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/france) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/france) [Russia](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/russia) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/russia) [Turkey](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/turkey) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/turkey) [United States](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-states) [Netherlands](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/netherlands) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/netherlands) [Belgium](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/belgium) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/belgium) [China](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/china) [United Kingdom](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-kingdom) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/united-kingdom) [Japan](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/japan) [Country dossier](https://modeldiplomat.com/country/japan) ## Frequently asked questions - - - Free account Save conferences, research any topic with AI, build position papers, and keep your daily prep streak — free. 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