The Forum brought together ministers, experts, representatives of international organizations from a large number of countries to discuss responsible resource management, waste reduction and the development of sustainable food systems.
During the ministerial panel on agriculture, Ludmila Catlabuga spoke about post-harvest losses and the role of this stage in Moldova’s agrifood chain. The minister said that maintaining the quality of products depends on the infrastructure of storage, sorting, packaging, cooling, irrigation and logistics. According to the minister, the post-harvest stage affects the farmers’ ability to evaluate their products and the economic stability of agricultural enterprises.
“Every kilogram of food lost after harvesting means wasted resources such as water, energy, labor and investments. For Moldova, reducing these losses is linked to food security, economic development and the sustainability of rural communities. Therefore, we need post-harvest infrastructure, functional cold chains and modern logistics solutions”, stated Ludmila Catlabuga.
The minister presented Moldova’s priorities in the agricultural economy, including investments in the agricultural infrastructure and joint projects with international partners. A special mention was made of the Strategic Program of Agricultural Policy, a document that defines the financing and support of the national agricultural sector for the next five years.
The participants in the meeting also touched upon Moldova’s European integration. Within this process, a special role is given to the harmonization of quality standards, traceability and food safety. These aspects are critical for the development of a competitive agro-food sector, which meets the requirements of the external markets.
Within the framework of the ministerial session, Ludmila Katlabuga held a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Turkey, İbrahim Yumaklı. The officials discussed the development of agro-food cooperation between Moldova and Turkey by expanding trade ties, establishing contacts between producers and distribution networks, as well as utilizing the potential of Moldovan products on the Turkish market.
What’s in the balance?
Globally, more than 2.1 billion tons of food waste is generated annually. According to expert estimates, this volume may double by 2050. In this context, the Ministers emphasized the need to implement solutions at all stages of the food chain to ensure that products safe for consumption are used responsibly.
Initiatives such as the Food Bank, which facilitates the redirection of safe-to-eat products to people in vulnerable situations, were also mentioned.
The Zero Waste 2026 Forum was held in preparation for the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) to be held in Antalya, Turkey this fall.
