In focus

Putting a spotlight on our food's hidden costs

Many of these hidden costs can be linked to diet-related health impacts. Let's explore the causes and see how we can drive change.

Interactive story The State of Food and Agriculture 2024

Highlights
Director-General
News
Unhealthy dietary patterns drive $8 trillion in annual hidden costs of global agrifood systems

About 70 percent of global hidden costs stem from health impacts linked to non-communicable diseases, particularly in more industrialized agrifood systems

News
FAO Food Price Index rises in October, its steepest climb in over a year

Global cereal production and trade likely to decline from last year

In Fiji, FAO Director-General visited sugarcane farms and China-Pacific Island Countries Juncao Technology Demonstration Center

Juncao is an innovative agricultural technology introduced by China, enabling the sustainable cultivation of edible and medicinal mushrooms

Interactive story
The tide is turning

Discover how aquatic food systems play a vital role in nourishing and sustaining a growing global population.

In Focus
Accelerating digital innovation in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

The SIDS Solutions Platform helps to share, replicate and scale up locally grown ideas.

In Focus
FAO response to global food security challenges

Data analyses, policy recommendations, and actions on the ground.

Publication
Assessing multidimensional poverty in Small Islands Developing States (SIDS)

Learn how the rural multidimensional poverty index fills an important research gap on accurate poverty measurement in SIDS.

Campaigns
Calling all young artists!

Get creative this World Food Day. Join our poster contest and draw your favorite dish or recipe.

Data
Monitoring and analyzing food prices

Access the latest information on domestic prices of basic foods in developing countries.

Director-General
In Fiji, FAO Director-General visited sugarcane farms and China-Pacific Island Countries Juncao Technology Demonstration Center

Juncao is an innovative agricultural technology introduced by China, enabling the sustainable cultivation of edible and medicinal mushrooms

Voices of Impact

05/11/2024

Watch the video to see how the Small Island Developing State of Palau implements sustainable tourism by promoting local food and traditions to reduce carbon footprint while creating jobs and improving the livelihoods and resilience of communities and ecosystems.

Video
5 ways FAO is helping Small Island Developing States achieve food security
29/06/2023

From boosting local food production to increasing resilience, here is how SIDS can achieve more sustainable agrifood systems.

Podcast
28/10/2024

In this episode, FAO urges immediate access to Gaza to deliver agricultural aid as data shows high risk of famine remains; ahead of the UN Climate Summit, FAO reiterated a more sustainable agrifood system is central to tackling climate change; and the fourth annual World Food Forum concluded in Rome with strong commitment for transforming global agrifood systems for a better future.

Data

FAO Food Price Index 2021-2024

Source: https://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/foodpricesindex/en/

2020 World

31.2%

2010 World

31.5%

In depth

Data
Transparency is key to FAO’s mission

Our new transparency portal shows how and where our resources are used and the results we have achieved. Explore the portal now.

Publication
Medium Term Plan and Programme of Work

The Director-General’s Medium Term Plan (Reviewed) 2022-25 and Programme of Work and Budget 2024-25.

In Focus
FAO Data Lab

The FAO Data Lab for Statistical Innovation modernizes the statistical business process, with a specific focus on emergency contexts, when having access to timely information is very important.

FAO and the SDGs

FAO supports governments and partners to design the right policies and programmes to end hunger, promote food security and promote sustainable agriculture for millions of people around the world.

Hover the mouse over an SDG icon for more information

A world free from hunger and malnutrition where food and agriculture contributes to improving the living standards of all

sdg photo

FAO works with governments and partners to empower some of the world’s most marginalized people to end rural poverty.

sdg photo

FAO helps ensure food security by developing ways of growing food that will work in the future so that millions of people don’t go hungry.

sdg photo

Good health starts with nutrition. FAO sets global standards and works with governments and the private sector to ensure food quality and safety throughout the food chain.

sdg photo

FAO invests in educational systems for rural communities and supports improved access to primary education and school meals in order to create equal opportunities for all and chances of lifelong learning.

sdg photo

FAO supports gender equality in the agricultural sector in an effort to raise levels of nutrition in local communities and improve agricultural productivity.

sdg photo

FAO works with governments to ensure water use in agriculture is made more efficient, equitable and environmentally friendly.

sdg photo

FAO promotes the use of renewable energies and works to ensure access to modern energy services across the food chain.

sdg photo

FAO seeks better economic opportunities for all by investing in sustainable agricultural practices and food systems that reduce inequalities and create decent jobs.

sdg photo

FAO seeks to secure a future for rural communities via investments in transportation, irrigation, food storage facilities and communication technologies.

sdg photo

FAO works with countries and partners to generate employment in rural areas, ensure access to natural resources for the most vulnerable and connect farmers to markets.

sdg photo

FAO works to improve urban healthcare, water quality and rethink city region food systems to help deter the negative effects of sprawling urbanisation.

sdg photo

FAO coordinates major global initiatives and projects to tackle food waste and loss, partnering with international organisations, the private sector and civil society.

sdg photo

FAO supports countries in responding to the threats of climate change by providing advice, data and tools for better agricultural policies and practices.

sdg photo

FAO, in partnership with governments and fishing communities, implements best practices in fisheries to ensure our oceans are protected as a means of livelihoods.

sdg photo

FAO promotes sustainable approaches to natural resource management and supports endeavours that promote a balance between conservation and development initiatives.

sdg photo

FAO plays a critical role in peacebuilding, restoring rural livelihoods, building resilience and participatory approaches to policymaking.

sdg photo

FAO acts as a neutral policymaking forum and develops partnerships with all concerned with food and agriculture to ensure a world free from hunger.

sdg photo
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sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
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FAO supports governments and partners to design the right policies and programmes to end hunger, promote food security and promote sustainable agriculture for millions of people around the world.

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO works with governments and partners to empower some of the world’s most marginalized people to end rural poverty.

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO helps ensure food security by developing ways of growing food that will work in the future so that millions of people don’t go hungry.

sdg photo
sdg photo

Good health starts with nutrition. FAO sets global standards and works with governments and the private sector to ensure food quality and safety throughout the food chain.

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO invests in educational systems for rural communities and supports improved access to primary education and school meals in order to create equal opportunities for all and chances of lifelong learning.

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO supports gender equality in the agricultural sector in an effort to raise levels of nutrition in local communities and improve agricultural productivity.

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO works with governments to ensure water use in agriculture is made more efficient, equitable and environmentally friendly.

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO promotes the use of renewable energies and works to ensure access to modern energy services across the food chain.

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO seeks better economic opportunities for all by investing in sustainable agricultural practices and food systems that reduce inequalities and create decent jobs.

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO seeks to secure a future for rural communities via investments in transportation, irrigation, food storage facilities and communication technologies.

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO works with countries and partners to generate employment in rural areas, ensure access to natural resources for the most vulnerable and connect farmers to markets.

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO works to improve urban healthcare, water quality and rethink city region food systems to help deter the negative effects of sprawling urbanisation.

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO coordinates major global initiatives and projects to tackle food waste and loss, partnering with international organisations, the private sector and civil society.

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO supports countries in responding to the threats of climate change by providing advice, data and tools for better agricultural policies and practices.

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO, in partnership with governments and fishing communities, implements best practices in fisheries to ensure our oceans are protected as a means of livelihoods.

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO promotes sustainable approaches to natural resource management and supports endeavours that promote a balance between conservation and development initiatives.

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO plays a critical role in peacebuilding, restoring rural livelihoods, building resilience and participatory approaches to policymaking.

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO acts as a neutral policymaking forum and develops partnerships with all concerned with food and agriculture to ensure a world free from hunger.

logo-giahs

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems.

Floods in the Sudan, August–September 2024

The impact of the floods on agriculture and livelihoods

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