News
The World Food Forum Youth Policy Board’s North America Team 2024 Focus: Regional Food Waste Reform
12/08/2024
Launched in 2021, the World Food Forum (WFF) aims to provide a dynamic and inclusive space for global youth to engage in agrifood systems initiatives. The Youth Assembly, as WFF’s policy and action arm, builds young people’s capacity in policy advocacy and fosters intergenerational partnerships, collaboration.
Gaza: FAO delivers more than 2 400 veterinary kits to protect livestock and sustain livelihoods
12/08/2024
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is delivering 2 452 veterinary kits to livestock-keeping households in Gaza to improve animal health and preserve herding livelihoods across the Strip.The near ten-month conflict has caused the collapse of local food production and agrifood value chains, contributing to the rapid deterioration of food security in Gaza, with 96 percent of the population or 2.15 million people facing high levels of acute food insecurity and a looming risk of famine.
US Ambassador Donna Ann Welton visited FAO project site in Viqueque, Timor-Leste
12/08/2024
The Ambassador of United States to Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, H.E. Donna Ann Welton visited a farm in Umawain Kraik, Viqueque and interacted with farmers. The farmers of this village including the owner of the farm (Augusto) are organized into farmers groups by current US assisted project to provide various kinds of supports including training, seeds and advisory services on implementation of CSA/CA and NSA practices.
A joint delegation led by US Ambassador to the UN Agencies in Rome and FAO Representative in DR Congo visits the Lubumbashi Veterinary Laboratory
09/08/2024
On August 8, 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) welcomed the United States Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture in Rome, Ambassador Jeffrey Prescott. Leading a delegation which included representatives from the US Embassy, he visited the Lubumbashi Veterinary Laboratory (LVL) in Haut-Katanga province as part of his official mission. He was accompanied by Aristide Ongone Obame, the FAO Country Representative.
With funding from USAID, FAO strengthens animal disease surveillance in the Democratic Republic of Congo
07/08/2024
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through its Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease Control (ECTAD), is organized a workshop to evaluate the implementation of the Event Mobile Application (EMA-i), an FAO Android application for real-time data collection and disease reporting.
Famine conditions in parts of Sudan: FAO urges at scale life-saving assistance to boost local food production
05/08/2024
In response to alarming new findings confirming famine conditions in parts of Darfur, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is urging an immediate cessation of hostilities, rapid scale up of life-saving food, nutrition and cash assistance as well as of the emergency agricultural aid. This is critical in conflict-affected areas to address immediate needs and avert the risk of famine from increasing and affecting other locations across Sudan.
Iowa State University students showcase agrifood system solutions at FAO
02/08/2024
Students from Iowa State University (ISU) recently showcased their research on solutions for challenges in agrifood systems at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters in Rome. This opportunity to develop and share their work with FAO’s professional staff was made possible through the ISU Dean’s Global Agriculture and Food Leadership Program, an initiative designed to equip 8 to 12 undergraduate students annually with leadership and research skills tailored for real-world challenges.
FAO Food Price Index broadly unchanged in July
02/08/2024
The benchmark for world food commodity prices was broadly unchanged in July for the second month in a row, as increases in international quotations of vegetable oils. meat products and sugar offset an ongoing decrease in those for cereals, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reported Friday. The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a set of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 120.8 points in July, marginally below its revised 121.0 figure for June. The index is now 3.1 percent lower than its corresponding value one year earlier.
Healthy diets remain unaffordable for a third of the world’s population
01/08/2024
More than a third of the world’s population could not afford a healthy diet in 2022, and some regions have yet fully to recover from the harms wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an innovative data set published in the 2024 edition of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, the flagship hunger report issued last week by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and four sister United Nations agencies.
With funding from USAID, FAO trains animal health professionals in applied veterinary field epidemiology in the Democratic Republic of Congo
31/07/2024
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through its Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease Control (ECTAD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, is launching today the fourth cohort of the training program for veterinary professionals in field epidemiology (ISAVET). As part of the Global Health Security (GHS) Program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), FAO is implementing six major actions, including training in veterinary epidemiology, to effectively prevent, detect and respond to transboundary animal diseases, emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. The main objective is to strengthen national capacities to ensure the country's health and economic security.
With funding from USAID, FAO is supporting the development of stronger animal health systems : Achievements in 2023
31/07/2024
Since its founding in November 2004, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) has partnered with national governments around the world to implement a rigorous programme of animal health activities designed to reduce the risks posed by health threats of animal origin, particularly zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has generously supported FAO ECTAD since its inception.
Pulling lifesaving data out of thin air, literally
30/07/2024
In rural Cambodia, two hours outside of the capital, Phnom Penh, scientists navigate to the bottom of a cliff face. Above them is a canopy of teak trees, their shining leaves swaying gently. The heat is stifling. Kampot pepper plants scattered here and there nearly block the narrow pathway. Filip Claes and Erik Karlsson, the scientists leading this expedition, walk for 20 minutes before they enter a barely noticeable cave entrance perhaps a metre and a half in diameter. It is shrouded in shrubs and vines.
FAO launches updated guidelines to tackle extreme wildfires
29/07/2024
The release of the updated guidelines is the debut activity of the Global Fire Management Hub, which was launched in 2023 by FAO and UNEP. Supported by the governments of Canada, France, Germany, Portugal, the Republic of Korea and the United States of America, the Fire Hub aims to unite the global fire management community and enhance national capacities for implementing integrated fire management strategies.
FAO urges immediate action as new variants of avian influenza threaten Asia and the Pacific
25/07/2024
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is calling for urgent regional efforts to combat a rise in avian influenza cases across the Asia-Pacific region. The appeal follows a consultation of regional experts in Bangkok, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
With funding from USAID, FAO trains animal health professionals in applied veterinary field epidemiology in Cameroon
25/07/2024
Over 70% of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate from animals. Since 2019, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has been conducting training for veterinary professionals in field epidemiology (ISAVET) - basic level. Supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Texas A&M University, and in collaboration with African universities, ISAVET aims to develop the skills of animal health professionals to strengthen their capacity for detection and rapid intervention based on the integrated “One Health” approach.
World must look to South America's success in reducing hunger: FAO Chief Economist
24/07/2024
Each year, the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report provides an update on the global progress or setbacks in achieving the 2030 goal of Zero Hunger. The 2024 report indicates that between 713 and 757 million people experienced hunger in 2023. It also reveals that 28.9% of the global population, or approximately 2.33 billion people, face moderate or severe food insecurity, a figure that has remained virtually unchanged over the past three years.
Hunger numbers stubbornly high for three consecutive years as global crises deepen: UN report
24/07/2024
Around 733 million people faced hunger in 2023, equivalent to one in eleven people globally and one in five in Africa, according to the latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report published today by five United Nations specialized agencies.
With funding from USAID, FAO’s Data in Emergencies hub released a StoryMap analyzing the flooding’s impact on agriculture and livelihoods in Bangladesh
23/07/2024
Since the onset of the monsoon season, Bangladesh has been affected by heavy flooding. One month after tropical cyclone REMAL-24 hit Bangladesh on 27 May 2024, the Haor region was affected by heavy rain, triggering flooding and flash floods, between 20 and 25 June 2024. The Data in Emergencies (DIEM) team at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) examined satellite images in the days following these floods to understand the impact. This StoryMap provides an assessment of the potential impact of the flooding on agricultural production and livelihoods in Bangladesh.
FAO, USAID and partners strengthen readiness, preparedness, and response capacity to manage a Rift Valley Fever health emergency in Sierra Leone
22/07/2024
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Health, Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Global Health Security Program (GHSP) organized a table-top Simulation exercise and developed a Contingency Plan for the prevention and control of Rift Valley Fever in Sierra Leone.
Forests face increasing climate-related stress amid growing demand for their products, FAO report warns
22/07/2024
Climate change is increasing the susceptibility of the world's forests to stressors such as wildfires and pests, according to a new flagship publication by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) that emphasizes the role of innovation in achieving a sustainable future for the forestry sector. The report, titled “The State of the World’s Forests 2024: Forest-sector innovations towards a more sustainable future,” was released on Monday at the 27th session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO), which is being held at FAO’s headquarters in Rome until Friday.