Vienna, Austria - June 11, 2025
As prepared for delivery
Good morning,
It’s a great pleasure to join you here today. Let me start by extending a warm welcome to Minister Koval, Deputy Minister Osmachko, and the entire Ukrainian delegation. We are honored by your presence.
I also want to thank the impressive range of senior experts participating in this high-level dialogue. Each of you brings a unique perspective and valuable experience through your former roles in the European Commission and in the accession negotiations of your respective countries.
This is not just another policy discussion. It is about the future of a country, a sector, and an entire continent. It’s about how Ukraine can fully take its place in the European family—economically, institutionally, and politically. And it’s about how Europe can rise to the occasion and support one of its most significant enlargement processes in recent history.
We meet at a time of transition. Ukraine is fighting for its sovereignty, its institutions, and its economic recovery. At the same time, it is preparing for accession to the European Union (EU).
These two goals are inseparable, and agriculture and rural development are central to both. These sectors represent nearly 20% of the country’s GDP and employ over 14% of the workforce. Ukraine is also one of the top five global exporters of wheat, corn, and sunflower oil.
The challenge is immense. EU accession in agriculture is not simply a matter of adopting legislation. It means building the institutions, systems, and services needed to implement that legislation. It means preparing farmers, agribusinesses, and communities for new rules, new markets, and new opportunities.
It also means dealing with the scars of war. An estimated three million hectares of agricultural land are contaminated with mines. Rural infrastructure, storage, and irrigation systems have been damaged or destroyed in large parts of the country. For example, we know that the destruction of the Kakhovka reservoir alone led to a 13% drop in irrigated land and a projected 36% decline in irrigated crop output. Without reliable irrigation, Ukraine’s ability to restore agricultural productivity and contribute to regional food security is at serious risk.
The European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is one of the most heavily debated policy frameworks in the world, but it is also one that provides unique support to competitiveness, agri-food jobs, economic cohesion, and livelihoods.
Ukraine’s potential accession is already prompting reflections on its future direction. This is a moment of mutual transformation. Ukraine will change as it moves toward the EU. And the EU will also change as it prepares to welcome Ukraine.
This dialogue is about thinking ahead. It’s about understanding the reforms, costs, trade-offs—and benefits—that lie ahead. It’s about learning from the experience of others, including Romania, Poland, and other recent accession countries. And it’s about ensuring that Ukraine is not alone on this journey.
The World Bank Group is fully committed to supporting Ukraine at every step. We are already working closely with the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food. Together, we are identifying policy priorities, preparing sector analyses, and planning investments that align with EU standards.
We are also working on the ground to support reconstruction. This includes restoring rural services, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and strengthening value chains. Through the International Finance Cooperation (IFC), we are mobilizing private capital and supporting agribusiness resilience.
Let me highlight three specific ways in which we stand to support Ukraine in this pivotal sector:
First, we will help provide analytical and advisory services to support informed policy choices. This includes work on the costs and benefits of CAP alignment, food safety systems for enhanced access to EU markets, and agri-food competitiveness.
Second, we will help build institutions and capacities. EU accession is ultimately about implementation. This requires public sector systems that are efficient, transparent, and accountable. It also requires clear communication with farmers and the private sector.
Third, we will help support investments—both public and private—that accelerate alignment with EU standards and strengthen resilience. That includes investments that are not eligible for EU funds but are critical for long-term recovery.
A prime example of this commitment is the ongoing ARISE project. Launched in 2023, ARISE has become the World Bank’s largest agriculture engagement globally in terms of private capital mobilization. The project targets over 200,000 small and medium-sized farms with financial and technical assistance, and has already mobilized over $2.4 billion in private capital, and received more than 21,000 grant applications, helping farmers restart and grow their operations.
Finally, I want to emphasize one more important objective of this dialogue. Beyond the exchange of insights and ideas, this gathering is also about forging relationships. The individuals gathered here - ministers, former senior leaders, reformers, and academics - embody decades of leadership in agricultural transformation and EU integration.
We hope this event marks the beginning of a lasting partnership. A coalition of support, a brain trust that Minister Koval and his team can turn to throughout every stage of this journey.
The path ahead will be complex, but Ukraine is not walking it alone. You are supported by a strong network of partners around this table. And you have our full support.
Thank you again for being here. I look forward to the outcomes of this rich discussion, and to continuing our shared work in the weeks, the months, and the years ahead.
Thank you.
