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The first delegation trip in 2025 as part of the APD Germany – South East Europe took place last week at BIOFACH in Nuremberg. After the APD had made a decisive contribution to the adaptation of organic legislation in the partner countries in recent years and months, a visit to the trade fair with a varied program took place for the second time.

A delegation of renowned regional representatives took part in the EU Agri-Food Days 2024 in Brussels as part of the APD SEE. In addition to forward-looking discussions on EU agricultural policy and sustainable developments, the focus was on high-level meetings. One highlight was the roundtable discussions with the EU Commission, where progress made by the Western Balkan states was presented and potential cooperation was explored. The exposure visit was an important step for the region's EU accession efforts and a complete success for the professional exchange.

Interest in participating in the growth market for organic food is growing steadily – including in the APD South East Europe project region. While the internal market is still in its infancy, the successful adaptation of the EU Organic Regulation in Montenegro shows how momentum can be generated towards EU integration. To further promote implementation, practice-oriented training courses were organized in cooperation with leading experts, which met with enormous interest: Over 600 participants continued their education in six-hour sessions on topics such as group certification and official controls of EU organic production.

The 5th Regional Expert Advisory Working Group (REAWG) meeting on Sustainable Forest Management took place from Nov 13-15, 2024, in Skopje, North Macedonia. Founded in 2022, the REAWG promotes sustainable approaches to forest management and strengthens regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. The meeting focused on strategies for adapting to climate change and protecting forest biodiversity.

During an exposure visit organized by the IAK, the delegation members from agricultural science and ministries of agriculture from the six Western Balkan states found out about the state of animal production in Germany. In addition to current research issues along the production chain, visits to farms provided extensive insights into the keeping of cattle, sheep and chickens. Besides environmental aspects such as climate change adaptation, the focus was on animal welfare.

The 60th SWG Assembly took place under the patronage of the BMEL from Sep 4-5, 2024 at Griebnitzsee near Potsdam. The opportunity was also taken here to hold the first "Sherpa Meeting" as part of the Berlin Process on the topic of "Food and Agriculture". This diplomatic and development policy initiative supports the countries of the Western Balkans on their path to European integration and promotes regional cooperation.

It has now become a tradition: Once again this year, the Agricultural Policy Dialogue Germany – South East Europe took part in the IAMO Forum and organized and held a panel discussion on "Climate Change Adaptation and the Role of Soil".

The SWG once again hosted the Agricultural Policy Forum (APF) this year. In Jahorina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, over 120 representatives from politics, research, the private sector and civil society from 17 European countries discussed strategies and challenges for agricultural and development policy in the region.

Intensive training on wine marketing, wine tourism and strategies for adapting to climate change is currently taking place in Skopje as part of the APD South East Europe. Visits to local wineries and tastings of the Piwi grape varieties exported to the region as part of APD in 2023 round off the program.