SGGW authorities at the Post-COP30 Event “Três Fronteiras” Bioeconomy, Health and Sustainable Transitions. Strengthening scientific cooperation and relations with the Polish community in South America

On December 8-12, 2025, a delegation of authorities from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, consisting of Prof. Michał Zasada, Rector of SGGW, Prof. Tomasz Okruszko, Vice-Rector for Science at SGGW, and Dr. Marta Mendel, professor at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Vice-Rector for Internationalization, took part in the international Post-COP30 Event “Três Fronteiras” Bioeconomy, Health and Sustainable Transitions, organized in Brazil and Argentina.

The main organizers of the event were Prof. Jair Kotz (UNIOESTE Western Paraná State University) and Dr. Paweł Wiechetek (University of Warsaw). The meeting brought together representatives of universities, public administration, research institutions, and social circles from the region known as the Tri-Border Area (Brazil-Argentina-Paraguay).

Post-COP30 Event “Três Fronteiras”

The post-COP30 event “Três Fronteiras” on Bioeconomy, Health, and Sustainable Transitions provided a platform for in-depth scientific and institutional debate, referencing the global agreements from the COP30 climate conference. Its aim was to develop regional models of cooperation in the areas of bioeconomy, health, regenerative agriculture, circular economy, and sustainable territorial development, with particular emphasis on the potential of border regions and small farms.

Curitiba – dialogue between universities, authorities, and the Polish community

The first part of the visit took place in Curitiba. The SGGW delegation participated in a conference attended by rectors and vice-rectors of universities in the region, including the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), the State Technical University of Paraná (UTFP), representatives of the city of Curitiba – the vice-chairman of the city council for science, the state agency for research and innovation financing Parana Governo do Estado – Secretaria da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, as well as the Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Curitiba, Wojciech Baczyński.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Brazilian Polish community, including Jorge Miguel Samek, former CEO of Itaipu Binacional, and Polonidade no Brasil – Memória e Legado, Father Kazimierz Długosz, a member of the Society of Jesus who has been serving the Polish community in the state of Paraná for over 30 years.

The delegation also visited Sistema FIEP, an integrated center of research and educational institutions cooperating with the economy, including Federação Internacional de Educação Física – FIEP, Serviço Social da Indústria – SESI, Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial – SENAI, and Euvaldo Lodi Institute – IEL. There, potential areas of scientific and industrial cooperation involving Polish communities were presented.

Foz de Iguaçu – environment, energy, and regional integration

The next stage was Foz de Iguaçu, where the SGGW authorities visited the Iguaçu National Park, meeting with its management and representatives from the Federal University for Latin American Integration (UNILA), including the vice-rector for international cooperation and the vice-rector for science.

The meetings were also attended by Ladislau Dowbor, a Brazilian economist of Polish origin and advisor to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose presence emphasized the importance of Poland’s contribution to the debate on the socio-economic development of the region.

The delegation also visited Itaipu Binacional, including the technology park and renewable energy centers (hydroelectric power plant, biogas plant, and closed-loop waste management center), where they learned about examples of the pro-social engagement of one of the region’s key public enterprises.

UNIOESTE – setting the direction for cooperation

On December 10-11, the meetings continued at UNIOESTE – Western Paraná State University, where the “Três Fronteiras – Bioeconomy, Health and Sustainable Transitions” project was summarized as an Excellence Center initiative. The event was attended by representatives of universities from Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.

During these days, the SGGW delegation participated in panel sessions and thematic workshops covering, among others: institutional cooperation, environmental and territorial issues, bioeconomy and health, and waste management. The workshop meetings were divided into four thematic areas: 1. cooperation – where SGGW was represented by Prof. Michał Zasada; 2. territory and environmental issues, with the participation of Prof. Tomasz Okruszka; 3. bioeconomy and health, including phytotherapy, with the participation of Dr. Marta Mendel, professor at SGGW; 4. waste management;

The results of projects co-financed by Itaipu were also presented, confirming the importance of science for the social development of the region, e.g. Itaipu Parquetec

Argentina – academic cooperation and offer for young people from the Polish diaspora

The last day of the visit took place in Eldorado (Misiones, Argentina) at the Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UM). The delegation met with university authorities, including Alicia Violeta Bohren, Rector of UM, Sergio Edgardo Katogui, Deputy Rector, deans, and representatives of the academic community, as well as the Faculty of Forest Sciences.

Of particular importance were the meetings with representatives of the Polish community in the province of Misiones, led by Miguel Antonio Skowron, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland, as well as with representatives of Polish organizations in Paraguay, including Tadeo Nita from the Union of Poles in Itapúa. The SGGW delegation met with students of Polish descent, presenting the offer of SGGW and Polish higher education, including initiatives aimed at young people from the Polish community (e.g., Polonia Camp, NAWA programs).

Results of the visit and plans

The participation of SGGW authorities in the Post-COP30 Event “Três Fronteiras” resulted in:

• the development of a model of cooperation between institutions in the Três Fronteiras region and SGGW, which is important in the context of the planned EU-Mercosur agreement;
• the definition of priority research areas: water management, forestry, agroecology, bioeconomy, herb production and use;
• the initiation of cooperation with the participation of national parks in Brazil and Poland;
• the definition of forms of educational cooperation and academic mobility, with particular emphasis on young people from the Polish diaspora;
• the inclusion of Latin American partners in European academic networks in which the Warsaw University of Life Sciences actively participates (ELLS, EBU).