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Regional Knowledge Platform on One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) in Europe and Central Asia

Supporting the sustainable development of Special Agricultural Products (SAPs) in Europe and Central Asia

Amidst the complex challenges gripping the ECA region in recent times, the imperative to foster resilient and sustainable agrifood systems has surged to the forefront of global and regional agendas.

The 33rd Session of the FAO Regional Conference in May 2022 underscored this urgency, with member states calling for continued support in implementing transformative food system agendas, aligning with sustainable development goals.    

FAO's Global Action on Green Development of Special Agricultural Products: One Country One Priority Product (OCOP), unveiled by the Director-General in September 2021, serves as a timely framework, responding to the pressing crisis in Food, Energy, and Finance Systems that afflict the region.  

It offers a strategic roadmap, emphasizing the overhaul of agricultural value chains through innovative, sustainable, and inclusive business models tailored to selected products.    

OCOP's holistic approach spans the entirety of agricultural value chains, from production to marketing, fostering collaboration among stakeholders.   Its primary focus is on Special Agricultural Products (SAPs), distinguished by unique qualities that position them for integration into local, national, and global markets.

In the current crisis, the development of sustainable food value chains for these special agricultural products emerges as a necessary alternative strategy in the face of increasingly unreliable markets.   

Read more about the rationale and background of OCOP

To ensure the successful and impactful implementation of the OCOP initiative globally, the OCOP Steering Committee, chaired by the FAO Director-General, was established at FAO headquarters in Rome.

In addition, the OCOP Regional Organizing Group for Europe and Central Asia is being established to organize and coordinate the implementation of initiatives within the region and to support the OCOP Steering Committee.

A National Task Force for each participating Member is envisaged to carry out implementation activities at the country level and to support the Regional Organizing Group.

  • better food and nutrition security;
  • bolstered income and livelihoods;
  • improved sustainable and inclusive value chains through better production, processing, marketing and consumption;
  • increased climate resilience and environmental sustainability; and
  • strengthened partnerships.
OCOP in Europe and Central Asia
OCOP in ECA: Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan: apples

OCOP in ECA: Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan: sweet cherry

OCOP in ECA: Türkiye

Türkiye: figs

OCOP in ECA: Tajikistan

Tajikistan: apricots

OCOP in ECA: Serbia

Serbia: raspberries

OCOP in ECA: Moldova

Moldova: table grapes

OCOP in ECA: Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan: walnuts
OCOP in ECA: Georgia
Georgia: specialty wines
OCOP in ECA: Armenia
Armenia: greens
OCOP in ECA: Albania
Albania: chestnuts
Countries Initiatives on Special Agricultural Products (SAPs)
Countries Special Agricultural Products (SAPs) Videos
Events

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2024

17/5

2024

ERC34 Agrilnnovate Exhibition
14/05/2024 - 17/05/2024

The Agrilnnovate Exhibition is organized from 14 to 17 May 2024 at the Atrium of FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, under the umbrella of the 34th Session of the Regional Conference for Europe (ERC34), hosted by the Republic o...

14/ 5

2024

17/5

2024

34th session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe (ERC34)
Hybrid Event, 14/05/2024 - 17/05/2024

The Republic of Moldova will host the Thirty-fourth Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe (ERC) from 14 to 17 May 2024 in Chişinău. The ERC will gather FAO Members in the Europe and Central Asia region, as well as representatives of United Nations Funds, Programmes and Specialized Agencies. The meeting will include observers from intergovernmental and non-governmental sectors, re...

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News
Activities in Albania under the One Country One Priority Product initiative
27/06/2024

Chestnut production in Albania has the potential to transform the livelihoods of marginalized communities, particularly in the mountain areas of Tropoja, Malësia e Madhe, Shkodër, Dibër, Bulqizë, Pukë, Fushë-Arrëz, Vau i Dejës, Librazhd and Pogradec. However, this is not without potential challenges, including forest renewal, disease management and an underdeveloped value chain.

FAO launches new global project to scale-up One Country One Priority Product Initiative
04/04/2024
Key stakeholders and representatives from 11 project countries convened virtually to launch a new project aimed at expanding the FAO One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Initiative. The inception workshop, held on 3 April 2024, focused on discussing project objectives, expected outputs and major activities, as well as reviewing the detailed work plan and budget for the project implementation. 
FAO support coming to table grape producers in the Republic of Moldova
27/02/2024

The Republic of Moldova's table grape sector is set to gain new opportunities thanks to its inclusion in the "One Country One Priority Product" (OCOP) initiative, led globally by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). A pivotal technical assistance agreement, valued at USD 350 000 for two years, was formalized at the start of this week between the FAO Representative in the Republic of Moldova, Raimund Jehle, and the Deputy Prime-minister and Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI), Vladimir Bolea.

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