Romania Hosts the Annual BIOEAST Conference: Advancing the Bioeconomy in Central and Eastern Europe

Romania recently hosted the Annual BIOEAST Conference at the headquarters of the Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences in Bucharest. This strategic event brought together experts, policymakers, researchers, and representatives from the agricultural sector across Central and Eastern Europe, within the framework of the BIOEAST Initiative—a regional cooperation platform aimed at promoting a sustainable bioeconomy.

Key Objectives of the Conference Included:

• Presenting the latest developments within the BIOEAST Initiative, in the context of current European priorities and the upcoming EU Council Presidency;
• Discussing the development of a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, with a focus on research management;
• Reviewing preliminary findings of the BOOST4BIOEAST project, relevant to updating the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda;
• Engaging stakeholders in revising the strategic agenda through interactive thematic sessions addressing emerging challenges and opportunities in the bioeconomy.

The event also offered valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and best practice sharing, including the presentation of successful bioeconomy projects from the BIOEAST macro-region, and a field visit that demonstrated the practical application of the concepts discussed.

Romania's Commitment to the BIOEAST Vision

The Romanian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) was officially represented by Zoltán-József Mihály, Secretary of State, Amelia Rus, Director General of the Directorate-General for Food Industry and Trade Policies, and Viorel Morărescu, Director of the Directorate for Crop Sector Policies.

In his opening speech, Secretary of State Mihály emphasized the strategic role that the BIOEAST region can play in shaping the future of Europe’s bioeconomy:

“Europe needs a strong bioeconomy, and the BIOEAST region is the key to completing this European endeavor. The climate, economic, and social challenges we face require coordinated responses, grounded in research and innovation, and backed by the political will to collaborate and act.”

He also underscored Romania’s vision of BIOEAST not only as a forum for idea exchange, but as a strategic platform for transforming the scientific and agricultural potential of the region into concrete solutions for a green, inclusive, and resilient economy:

“We have resources, knowledge, and valuable partnerships. What we need now is aligned effort and the courage to innovate together. Romania is ready to assume the role of a regional catalyst,” the MADR official stated.

Viorel Morărescu further reaffirmed Romania’s strong commitment to the values and goals of the BIOEAST Initiative, highlighting the natural connection between the bioeconomy and organic farming, and the importance of direct engagement from farmers and local stakeholders in the process.

Through its active participation in the conference, MADR reasserted its commitment to integrating bioeconomy objectives into national agricultural and food security policies, and to fostering sustainable links between farmers, researchers, and decision-makers.