Federal Minister Alois Rainer officially opened the Agriculture Ministers’ Conference. This was followed by a keynote address providing important insights into this year’s GFFA topic of “Water. Harvests. Our Future.”
Young farmers from around the globe, invited by the BMLEH, contributed to the discussions by presenting their Young Farmers’ Declaration on the future of agriculture, which they had drafted at the GFFA.
Following the opening and the traditional family photo, the ministers divided into four breakout sessions to discuss the GFFA’s subtopics in greater depth:
- Using water sustainably
- Strengthening the blue bioeconomy
- Addressing competing uses constructively
- Enhancing international water governance
In the concluding plenary session, all ministers and representatives of international organisations had the opportunity to share their perspectives on water in agriculture and to exchange best practices.
The highlight of the plenary session was the formal adoption of the joint communiqué.
Federal Minister Rainer formally handed over the communiqué at the conclusion of the conference to the UN Special Envoy on Water, H.E. Retno L.P. Marsudi; the Chair of UN-Water and President of IFAD, Alvaro Lario; and the Deputy Director-General of the FAO, Beth Bechdol.
Official Handover of the Communiqué
Communiqué – 2026 GFFA
Key Note 2026
H.E. Retno L.P. Marsudi
UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Water / Former Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia
Mrs. Marsudi brings distinguished experience in diplomacy with almost four decades, serving as the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia from (2014 – October 2024), during which she oversaw the conduct of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali 2024, leading to a consensually agreed Ministerial Declaration as the outcome of the Forum.
She showed high dedication, reflected through Indonesia’s leadership, including as a non- permanent member of the UN Security Council (2019 – 2020), President of G20 (2022), ChairofASEAN(2023),andmanyotherinternationalentitiesandorganizations. In2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mrs. Marsudi was appointed Co-Chair of the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) Engagement Group to support the participation of 92 lower-middle and low-income economies in the COVAX Facility and ensure equitable access of COVID-19 vaccines. She served as Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands (2012 – 2014), as well as Ambassador to Iceland and Norway (2005–2008).
She is now the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Water since 1st November 2024, after completing her government service.
Gallery - 2026 GFFA
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