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Based on a joint FAO-WTO publication, this brief emphasizes the importance of applying international food safety standards, and the need for countries to invest in building their own capacity in this regard. This would allow trade to take place smoothly and without distortions. Also available in French. See the complete series: Trade Policy Briefs

This brief provides an overview of the evolution in bound and applied tariffs with a focus on tariff escalation. Also available in French. See the complete series: Trade Policy Briefs

Published for the FSN’s 10th anniversary, this booklet presents the Forum’s work. It shows how its activities support FAO in tackling poverty and hunger through knowledge sharing, capacity development and policy dialogue.

This document summarizes the online consultation Promoting sustainable food systems for healthy diets in Europe and Central Asia: the key role of school food and nutrition programmes, which was held on the FAO Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum) from 7 November to 18 December 2017. See all ongoing and past discussion on the Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition • FSN Forum   Also available in Russian.

The technical note describes a novel approach to measure changes in the affordability of nutritious diets in low-income settings, using price indexes to monitor how trade policy or market infrastructure and other factors influence the cost of reaching a standard threshold of dietary diversity.  Preliminary results for a new Cost of Diet Diversity price index in Ghana are provided. 

This paper examines the main issues affecting producers of export crops in Malawi that could compromise the attainment of the National Export Strategy (NES) 2013-2018 targets. The analysis assesses the level of policy support to the major export crops (cotton, groundnuts, sugar, tea and tobacco) for the period 2005-2013, by calculating the Nominal Rate of Protection (NRP), the Nominal Rate of Assistance (NRA) and the Market Development Gap (MDG) indicators for producers and by analysing public expenditure targeting the aforementioned commodities. The results show that trade and market policies resulted in disincentives of -15 percent on average for cash crop [...]

Knowledge Tank for agriculture sectors’ adaptation to climate change This NAP-Ag Knowledge Tank: Contains tools, methods, case studies and other knowledge materials on climate change adaptation in the agriculture sectors (crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture). Targets national planners, development actors and decision makers. Supports countries in highlighting key resources for adaptation planning and budgeting, especially in formulating and implementing National Adaptation Plans (NAP).

This research paper looks at the crises in international agricultural markets during the last decade and draws out some lessons. Although crop prices continue to be volatile, the bout of high prices/high volatility ended by 2015. The initial rapid rise of prices was not predicted, and surprised both market players and the international community more broadly. Considerable policy attention was focused on the crisis, by the UN broadly, by FAO and its members, by G20 heads, agricultural groups, and national governments. Attention by investors was also significant, as rates of return rose. The links of higher prices to growing population, incomes, energy/biofuels, dietary mix, [...]

The international community is committed to ending hunger and all forms of malnutrition worldwide by 2030. While much progress has been made, conflict and human-induced and natural disasters are causing setbacks. This year’s The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World warns that the long-term declining trend in undernourishment seems to have come to a halt and may have reversed, largely on account of the above-mentioned factors. Meanwhile, though progress continues to be made in reducing child malnutrition, rising overweight and obesity are a concern in most parts of the world. These and other findings are detailed in the 2017 edition of The State of [...]

This policy brief analyses the main programmes and interventions aimed at promoting youth employment in Uganda, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, as well as innovation and replication potential. The document also provides a series of recommendations towards the replication and upscaling of successful interventions that will inform the National Strategy for Youth Employment in Agriculture (NSYEA), as well as future strategic discussions on youth engagement in agriculture and food systems.