April

Sputnik Afrique released an interview in French with Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation. The discussion centered around the pressing issue of global hunger and the current state of food security worldwide, and in Africa, in particular, as well as the role of BRICS countries in ensuring global food security.

March

RT Arabic conducted a video interview with Oleg Kobiakov, the Director of FAO LOR, which took place at the UN House in Moscow. The discussion centered around the pressing issue of global hunger and the current state of food security worldwide.

Oleg Kobiakov, FAO LOR Director, was a guest at a popular agricultural radio programme “Krestyanskaya Zastava” (Peasant Outpost) on Radio Russia. The programme entitled “Oleg Kobiakov: “Of the total working population of the planet, about 1.5 billion are small and family farms.”” can be assessed here.

Oleg Kobiakov, Director FAO LOR gave a live interview for a Russian major state channel Russia 24. Due to the crisis in the Red Sea, the cost of food delivery has increased by an average of 15%; the food security of entire regions may be at risk, experts from FAO say. The Head of the FAO Moscow Office, Oleg Kobiakov, commented on the situation.

TASS published an extensive interview with Oleg Kobiakov, FAO LOR Director, entitled “Oleg Kobiakov: food prices in the world will rise due to the current crises” on the topic of rising food prices due to protests by farmers in Europe and aggravation in the Red Sea; he also told how much Russia helped African countries cope with hunger and outlined the role of BRICS countries in global food security. Many top and specialised media in Russia and beyond quoted this interview with Oleg Kobiakov, including RBC, RT, Agroinvestor, Krasnaya Vesna and others.

Information channel about BRICS countries TV BRICS aired a 20-minutes video interview with FAO LOR Director Oleg Kobiakov entitled “Oleg Kobiakov: “BRICS expansion will strengthen global food security” where he answered the following questions: what steps have been taken recently to address hunger and malnutrition? What assistance can the BRICS countries offer, and can the agro-industrial complex of the association become a driver of global economic growth? TV BRICS also published an article highlighting key insights this interview that were republished in different languages by TV BRICS partners' media. 

VESTI FM aired a weekly healthy food programme “From Mikoyan to Mamikonyan” where Oleg Kobiakov, FAO LOR Director, took part. The participants discussed bread production and the competitiveness of Russian goods in foreign markets.

February

TASS News Agency, VMESTE-RF and Parlamentskaya Gazeta covered a recent meeting between Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, and Alexander Bashkin, Member of the Federation Council about cooperation possibilities between the Astrakhan Region and FAO, including tentative planning of a number of events for the celebration of the International Year of Camelids (IYC 2024).

December

Veterinary and life published an interview (in Russian) on the topic of the most dangerous diseases for the world’s livestock industry. 

October

Melanolive aired a video interview (in Russian) prior to the World Food Day 2023. 

TASS and The Dairy News quoted Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, at the press conference organized by the FAO Liaison Office in Moscow and held at the TASS press centre on the 16 October 2023 and dedicated to the World Food Day 2023.

RusFish Journal aired video interview (in Russian) with Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation. 

Healthy food programme “From Mikoyan to Mamikonyan” on VESTI FM radio station aired an interview (in Russian) with Oleg Kobiakov, Director, FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, on the topic of fishery and aquaculture in Russia and in the world. 

VESTNIK APK published an extensive interview titled “Oleg Kobiakov: ‘’Russia has a special duty in feeding humanity””.

RUSNEWSDAY published an article summarizing discussions at the Fish Forum, quoting Oleg Kobiakov, Director, FAO Liaison Office in Moscow, on fish production.

FishNet, Akvakultura and FishRetail covered participation of FAO representatives at the VI Fishery Forum in Saint Petersburg titled “Aquaculture is a field for fruitful global cooperation”. The articles quoted FAO experts, including Oleg Kobiakov, Director, FAO Liaison Moscow Office; Marcio Castro de Souza, FAO Senior Fishery Officer; Matthias Halwart, FAO Senior Aquaculture Officer.

FishNews, Fishery and FishRetail covered a round table on China’s market prospects quoting Oleg Kobiakov, Director, FAO Liaison Moscow Office.

September

Agricultural channel Rural Hour aired its programme, including comments on China’s fish exports.

KP and TASS published an article quoting Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, on the subject of global hunger. 

July

Business Online quoted Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, on his video message welcome remarks to participants of a conference, organized by HSE University (Russia).

June

A range of specialized agricultural media, including Vestnik APK News (Вестник АПК), AgroVestnik, Agriecomission , and APK News mentioned participation of Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, at the exhibition “Agrarian Policy of Russia: Safety and Quality of Products”, which was successfully held in Moscow.

MK published an extensive interview informing of the threat of global famine.

Oleg Kobiakov's participation at SPIEF-2023 was covered by RBC, TV BRICS, and Sputnik news agency.

La Grande Interview : Oleg Kobiakov (in French) by Russia Today.

May

Agri News (Сельскохозяйственные вести) published an article informing of the World Bee Day 2023 celebration, and quoting Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation.

World Bee Day 2023 celebration organized by the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation in the Republic of Bashkortostan (Russia) was covered by various regional media, including Agri News, Duv News, Selskie Uzory, Tuimazinsky Vestnik.

Veterinary and Life quoted Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, on global meat production during the plenary session of the international exhibition “Meat industry. Chicken King. Refrigeration Industry for AIC/MAP Russia & VIV 2023”.

Interfax published an article quoting Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, during the Eurasian Economic Forum, informing of the total number of people suffering from acute food insecurity worldwide. 

April

Izvestia published an extensive interview, including a video with Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, on the world food crisis.

Agroinvestor published an article quoting Oleg Kobiakov, Director, FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation on the relevance of implementing ESG practices in the agricultural sector. Specialized media outlets as ROSNG, AGROXXI, Selskokhozyaystvennye Vesti (Agri News), Journal “Agrarnaya Nauka” (Agrarian Science), and Piginfo also covered the conference quoting FAO Liaison Office in Moscow Director Oleg Kobiakov.

March

TASS published an article entitled “FAO reports on the potential of Russian forests to mitigate climate change” quoting Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, on the conference dedicated to the International Day of Forests. Krestianskie Vedomosti and other media outlets quoted Oleg Kobiakov at the conference.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta published an extensive interview with Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, on food prices and food crisis.

FAO Moscow Office together with its partners organized press conference dedicated to the launch of the International Year of Millets in Russia. Interfax news agency and KP quality broadsheet daily covered the conference. Such media outlets as Finmarket, 1Prime, and VMESTE.RF quoted Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation.

FAO Liaison Office in Moscow organized a press conference dedicated to the World Wildlife Day at TASS.

RT France via L'Echiquier mondial programme published an interview [in French] with Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, on global food crisis. 

January

Rossiyskaya Gazeta (Российская Газета) published an article quoting Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, who spoke about a global threat of a food crisis.

December

Russia 24 reported on a new idea to serve insect-based dishes instead of unhealthy meat in European school canteens. Director of the FAO Liaison office with the Russian Federation Oleg Kobiakov, expressed his opinion that food choices should consider cultural and religious beliefs, as European schools have students from diverse backgrounds. He emphasized the importance of obtaining consent from both children and parents for such a change.

October

The top Russian media outlet Izvestia discussed how Western sanctions against Russia are affecting the food security crisis. Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Office in Moscow, explained that these sanctions target financial transactions, restrict Russian ships from entering foreign ports, and raise freight and ship insurance costs. As a result, the international supply of Russian fertilizers has been limited, causing significant negative effects on both developed European and developing Asian markets. Additionally, fertilizer prices in African countries have already increased by 300%.

Specialised news outlet Veterinary and Life featured an interview with Oleg Kobiakov on global challenges like hunger and proper nutrition. He highlighted that over 800 million people worldwide are facing hunger, while another billion are dealing with different types of malnutrition. He also talked about the current state of food security globally and emphasized the need for concerted efforts to promote sustainable growth and ensure food security for all.

Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation was also interviewed on one of the major radio stations in Russia Vesti FM. During the interview, he provided detailed information about people worldwide who are suffering from hunger and identified areas where hunger is particularly acute. He explained the reasons and factors contributing to the increase in food insecurity. Additionally, he discussed the causes of production and food losses, explained supply chain models, and suggested solutions to reduce losses and improve food security. Furthermore, Kobiakov commented on the state of food security in Russia, emphasizing that Russia is self-sufficient in terms of food security.

TASS quoted Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Office in Moscow, stating that by 2030, the global number of hungry individuals could decrease by nearly 20% to 670 million. Kobiakov expressed optimism about reducing hunger by boosting food production and highlighted the significance of minimizing food waste and spoilage, which could potentially provide sustenance for over 1.3 billion extra people. He underscored the necessity of investing in agriculture, innovation, and technology to address food scarcity issues.

TASS also published an article discussing the satisfactory level of food security in the country. Oleg Kobiakov affirmed that Russia is unlikely to experience hunger issues thanks to its strong food security measures. While 1.6% of the population may occasionally lack access to food, the general situation is positive. It is important for the government to provide assistance to the most vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and families with many children, by offering social subsidies.

The top Russian news media RIA News published an article with quotes from Oleg Kobiakov, the Director of FAO LOR , on the reasons for a possible shortage of fertilizers - this includes the increase in fertilizer prices due to disruptions in trade chains, a sharp rise in energy prices, primarily due to the escalation of the political situation in the world, and again, disruptions in supplies.

The Russian media "Vestnik APK" has drawn attention to the alarming situation in global food security, caused by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and social changes. In the article, Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, expresses his views on the current threats facing Russia and humanity as a whole, and also offers solutions for overcoming them.

September

TASS reported on food insecurity worldwide. Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, pointed out that the significant worsening of the food crisis in the last three years was due to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by energy and financial crises, as well as the increasing frequency and scale of extreme weather events.

The Russian media outlet Selskyi Chas published an interview with Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, where he emphasized the crucial role of aquaculture development. Kobiakov highlighted the efficiency of aquaculture compared to traditional cattle production, pointing out that it is a more cost-effective process.

Russian agricultural media outlet Veterinary and Life has published an article featuring quotes from Oleg Kobiakov, Director of FAO LOR. He emphasized that while industrial catches have reached their limits, aquaculture has significant growth potential. By 2023, we anticipate a convergence of these two processes, with fisheries catches being maintained at current levels and aquaculture production growing in absolute terms.

The news portal "Business and Society" interviewed Oleg Kobiakov, Director of FAO LOR. The discussion focused on the important role of women in international organizations, their influence on food security, and the global economy.

July

The leading Russian media outlet RBC recently featured an article discussing key insights from an interview with Oleg Kobiakov, Director of FAO LOR. The conversation delved into the root causes and unique aspects of the food crisis, highlighting the significance of Ukrainian grain exports and exploring the broader impact of military conflicts on global hunger issues.

The international media outlet Russia Today recently interviewed representatives from various countries, including Oleg Kobiakov, who serves as the Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation. The discussion focused on global challenges related to food security.

The prominent international news source Bloomberg published an article discussing the sanctions imposed on Russia. Oleg Kobiakov, the Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, provided insights into the impact of these sanctions on the global food market, particularly focusing on Russian and Ukrainian fertilizer production.

Tass reported that a press conference was held to introduce the UN global report "The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World - 2022", with Oleg Kobiakov, the Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, taking part.

Vesti FM interviewed Oleg Kobiakov, the Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, to discuss global hunger. Kobiakov emphasized that Russia is well-positioned to address this issue and is currently engaged in special negotiations to play a significant role in helping navigate through the current peak global food crisis more effectively.

June

Vesti FM conducted an interview with Oleg Kobiakov, the Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Moscow, regarding the growing challenges in the global grain market. During the interview, Kobiakov was asked whether the world could manage without Ukrainian grain.

لقاءات منتدى سان بطرسبورغ الاقتصادي الدولي 2022 - مدير العلاقات مع روسيا في منظمة فاو

RT Arabic, 21 июня 2022

During the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2022, RT Arabic conducted an interview with Oleg Kobiakov, the Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Moscow, to discuss global food security.

RIA News featured an article quoting the Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Russia. Oleg Kobiakov emphasized that excluding Russia from the FAO is not a viable option, stating, "You can't simply erase Russia from the map like rubbing out a mistake with an eraser. Russia is a major player in the agro-industry sector." Kobiakov made these remarks during a discussion on global food security at the Valdai Discussion Club.

In an article by the top Russian media outlet RIA News, Oleg Kobiakov, the Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Russia, shared his views on the global food crisis. He emphasized that the crisis is not a new issue and has been worsening over the past six years. Kobiakov also mentioned that the situation has been further exacerbated by recent events in Ukraine.

TASS recently published an article discussing the Ukrainian crisis and its impact on global food insecurity. Oleg Kobiakov, the Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Russia, pointed out that while the crisis in Ukraine does not directly cause food issues worldwide, it does worsen them.

TASS published an article about the FAO's proposal to establish an international fund to finance food imports for countries in need of assistance. The initiative was supported by developing countries and aimed at eliminating the economic inaccessibility of food. Oleg Kobiakov, the director of FAO's liaison office in Russia, expressed hope that leading countries would support the idea, noting that the global food supply is in line with population growth, but various barriers need to be overcome.

RIA News reported on the severe food crisis resulting from the conflict in Ukraine. Oleg Kobiakov, the Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Russia, stated that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine puts 13 million people at risk of starvation.

May

The radio station Vesti FM aired a report on Russian food security and the country's efforts to become self-sufficient in rice production. Oleg Kobiakov, the director of FAOLOR, talked about the restrictions imposed on exporting rice from Russia.

Vesti FM interviewed Oleg Kobiakov, the Director of FAO's Russian office, to discuss the potential grain shortage in Ukraine. During the radio broadcast he delved into the details and explored the implications of this issue.

April

An interview conducted by Kommersant with Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, expounded on how the conflict in Ukraine has catalyzed a significant crisis in food supply chains, potentially leading to a surge in the prevalence of chronic malnutrition on a global scale.

The International Affairs journal recently published an article featuring a discussion on achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with Oleg Kobiakov. In the article, the Director of FAO in Moscow highlighted the global and local status of food security and shared insights into FAO's future plans and activities in this regard.

The global news agency Reuters recently published an article about how Russians are spending their money on food. Oleg Kobiakov, the Director of FAOLOR, mentioned that many Russian families are using crisis strategies to manage their expenses because a significant portion of their income is being used for essential items like food.

The news outlet Vesti VGTRK Murman reported on a gathering in Murmansk attended by Oleg Kobiakov, the Director of FAOLOR. During the meeting, Kobiakov emphasized the strategic importance of the Murmansk Oblast as a key region for Russia, particularly highlighting its role as a significant contributor to the country's fish production.

March

Veterinary and Life announced the forecast of FAO. At the "Meat Industry" exhibition, Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Office in Moscow, shared a prediction regarding a decrease in meat exports from the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Argentina in 2022.

February

Vesti FM interviewed Oleg Kobiakov, the Director of FAO in Russia, to discuss the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on people's diets and nutrition. They explored how the pandemic has affected what people are eating.

Unipack.ru shared the outcomes of the international specialized exhibition Upakovka 2022, which featured Oleg Kobiakov. In the article, Kobiakov is quoted as saying, "Packaging plays a crucial role in determining how the final product reaches the consumer in terms of form and quality." This event serves as a respected platform where manufacturing experts, trade organizations, research institutions, international organizations, and unions gather to exchange ideas and insights.

Agroecomission and Agricultural Vesti shared news about presenting FAO main reports, including SOFA and SOLAW, at an event organized by the FAO Office in Moscow and the Central Scientific Agricultural Library.

January

The Dairy News published an article discussing the results of the international exhibition "Agros - 2022," where Oleg Kobiakov participated. He highlighted that rural and agro-tourism is a growing trend worldwide and expressed his happiness that this movement is gaining traction in Russia too.

The Dairy News featured a panel discussion titled "Green Agenda and Milk," which included Oleg Kobiakov, the Director of the FAO Liaison Office in the Russian Federation.

December

Agros released an agricultural magazine discussing food security guarantees and opportunities for Russia. At the Global Food Forum 2021 in Moscow, Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, participated in the event.

The Dairy News published an article discussing the future of livestock, featuring quotes from Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation. In the article, he highlighted the growing importance of zoonoses as a threat to humanity. The FAO representative emphasized the need for professionals in this field to share accurate and objective information at both the expert and public levels, as they play a crucial role in educating the public about these issues.

During a broadcast on a healthy food programme "From Mikoyan to Mamikonyan" at Vesti FM, Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, provided insights on the transformations occurring within the food industry.

In the article by New Izvestia, the importance of responsible management of land resources was highlighted, emphasizing how poor management could result in food and water shortages. Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, stressed that we are at a critical juncture in our relationship with nature. It is a moment of truth where we must decide to either protect the biosphere for future generations or face the consequences of our careless and incompetent actions.

TV BRICS reported on the outcomes of the World Soil Day conference held at the UN House in Moscow. During the conference, Oleg Kobiakov, the Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, emphasized the critical importance of soil resources and the urgent need to protect and conserve them.

The Economics and Life magazine recently featured an article on the agricultural micro census, highlighting a quote from Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, regarding the role of international organizations in this initiative. According to him, FAO is a key organization within the UN that provides methodological support and helps coordinate agricultural censuses globally. The concept of conducting a micro census in Russia between two main censuses is seen as a novel and groundbreaking approach. 

November

Agroecomission recently presented the results of an event held during the annual World Antimicrobial Risk Awareness Week. One of the speakers at the event was Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation. The focus of this year's roundtable discussion was "Raising Awareness to Prevent the Emergence of Superbugs."    

Selskyi Chas released a video addressing food security issues and the challenges people are encountering. During the video, Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, discussed the resistance of harmful microorganisms in livestock and crop production.  

New Izvestia recently published an article featuring Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, discussing the rise in food prices and its potential effects on food security.

Oleg Kobiakov was also interviewed by Veterinary and Life. He discussed the increasing threat of hunger in today's digital age, focusing on the impact of the UN Food Systems Summit and the new nutrition rules for the 21st century.

October

Vesti FM featured an interview with Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation. He discussed how Russia's relationship with FAO, an Organization dedicated to fighting hunger, has developed over time.

Strategia journal recently published an article about the FAO Office in Moscow, in collaboration with the Assembly of Eurasian Peoples and the Moscow State University of Food Production. They organized a Dialogue event to commemorate World Food Day 2021.

Vesti FM interviewed Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation. During the interview, he discussed how the world of food has evolved in recent years.

September

Veterinary and Life recently featured an interview with Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, in their monthly issue and also published it on their website. In the interview, Kobiakov discussed the challenges that the office is currently facing, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on global hunger, and the situation of hungry people in Russia.

TASS published an article about the fish industry, in which Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, stated that fish products are not a source of coronavirus contamination.

August

The agricultural news portal, Selskokhozyastvenyi vesti, released an article discussing the impact of the coronavirus on animals. During a discussion, Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation,  addressed a question from the moderator regarding the global health protection system based on the "One Health" concept. He highlighted the interconnectedness between wildlife, humans, and pets. Kobiakov also warned about the increasing occurrence of new infectious diseases and their detrimental effects on the economy.

An article in Parlamentskaya Gazeta discussed the collaboration between PhosAgro and the Russian Academy of Sciences to establish a carbon farm. Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, emphasized that current discussions demonstrate that our scientific community is leading the way in addressing climate issues and achieving carbon neutrality. He also highlighted the crucial support from businesses like PhosAgro and the forward-thinking decisions made by the government and public authorities.

July

New Izvestia published an article discussing the International Monetary Fund's prediction of a rise in global hunger and its potential impact on Russia. Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, emphasized that Russia plays a crucial role as a major exporter, supplying many countries and regions with essential commodities like grain. He highlighted the importance of securing reliable and consistent food supplies, free from restrictions and price volatility.

June

Krasnaya Vesna published an article featuring Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, who highlighted the importance of conservation agriculture as a global trend. He emphasized that it is crucial for meeting the challenge of feeding the Earth's expanding population.

Agroinvestor published an article discussing key factors driving growth in the agricultural sector. Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, emphasized the significant impact of the global agro-industry, which produces over 10 billion tons of food and non-food products valued at $3.5 trillion annually. Kobiakov shared these insights during the session "Food: Transformation in a Post-COVID Reality" at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

May

Italian Radio Sintony reported that Russia has started producing the world's first COVID-19 vaccine for animals.

An article in Business and Society highlighted a round table event organized by the FAO Moscow Office and the Faculty of Soil Science at Lomonosov Moscow State University. The event focused on the topic of "Soil Biodiversity in Russia," where prominent Russian scientists discussed the significance of soil biodiversity in both natural and agricultural landscapes. They emphasized the importance of protecting soil biota, especially those used in agriculture.

Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Moscow Office, pointed out that Russia is not only the largest country in terms of soil diversity but also in terms of biological life forms. He highlighted that the condition of Russian soils plays a crucial role in determining the overall health and well-being of soils worldwide.

April

Veterinary and Life recently discussed the potential harm caused by the use of antibiotics in the livestock industry. The article cited Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Moscow Office, who called for a complete halt to the use of antibiotics for preventive measures and growth promotion in livestock and aquaculture.

Moskovskiy Komsomolets recently published an article discussing the causes of hunger in the 21st century and ways to address this global issue. The article includes an interview with Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, who shared insights on the food situation in Russia.

An article in Rossiyskaya Gazeta featured a statement of Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, who addressed the question of whether a person can contract COVID-19 from an animal. Kobiakov highlighted that the chances of human infection from an animal carrying the coronavirus are very low.

March

An article in the Selskokhozyistvenyi novosti highlighted the significance of leguminous crops. Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, emphasized the crucial role of grain legumes in our daily lives and in promoting healthy, nutritious diets. He mentioned that Russia is currently one of the top ten producers of grain legumes globally.

During the sustainable growth business forum, ESG Media held an interview with Oleg Kobiakov, who serves as Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation. The conversation focused on the pressing issue of hunger in the 21st century, exploring how businesses can contribute to solving this challenge and the role of climate change and reducing carbon footprint in addressing food insecurity.

February

Agrotime featured an article on the World Pulses Day. To mark the occasion on the 10 February 2021, the FAO Liaison Office in Russia organized an online conference emphasizing the nutritional value and positive impact of cereal legumes. The event focused on how these legumes play a crucial role in promoting healthy diets, transitioning to sustainable food systems, and combating global hunger.

Interfax reported on the decision not to implement food cards for the public. The article included a statement from Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, discussing the possible benefits of introducing food cards in Russia.

December

Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation Oleg Kobiakov took a part in the programme on YouTube channel Rural Hour. He covered the topic of the growth of the FAO Food Price Index in the world since 2012 and answered the question of that should Russia do in this situation.

In an interview for federal news agency TASS, FAO representative Oleg Kobiakov discussed the rise in food prices caused by negative factors not related to the pandemic. He noted that the rise in food prices in recent months has become a general trend and emphasized the importance of the country’s experience in maintaining the food market in such conditions.

November

Regnum in its article dedicated to the preparation to the UN Food Systems Summit 2021 quoted Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, who noted that  the task for responsible producers today are not only producing goods at any cost, but also to produce in such a way to preserve nature for future generations.

Oleg Kobiakov also told Finmarket about what mechanisms FAO uses to solve the tasks assigned to it, including in a region with famine, as in the situation with food sources of the spread of coronavirus, as well as how FAO's relations are built with permanent business.

October

Official publication of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Parliamentary Newspaper published an article about personnel for the agro-industrial complex in honor of the opening of the PhosAgro specialized educational center at the Timiryazev Agricultural Academy for training personnel for the agro-industrial complex. Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation Oleg Kobiakov said that the new educational center will open up unique opportunities for attracting undergraduate and graduate students from other countries to the Academy.

International Affairs journal published an author's article written by Oleg Kobiakov dedicated to the 75th FAO anniversary. He highlighted the foundation of the Organization, its ten main achievements and Russia's participation in FAO.

Oleg Kobiakov took a part in the programme on YouTube channel Rural Hour on the occasion of 75th FAO anniversary. In its special programme fully dedicated to FAO, he told about the Organization's history and Russia's participation in it.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate for 2020 was the UN World Food Programme (WFP), one of the main donors of which is Russia. Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, Oleg Kobiakov, gave the interview for Kommersant and told that it is wrong to think that the problem of hunger in the world has become less urgent.

The pandemic has dealt a serious blow to the most vulnerable segments of the population. For this reason, deputies again returned to the idea of ​​introducing food cards in the country. Experts told Moskovskiy Komsomolets (MK) whether help will reach those in need this time. Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation Oleg Kobiakov previously said in an interview with MK that food stamps will sooner or later appear in Russia. The main thing is to issue certificates for products, and not real money.

September

40 million trees will be planted in Russia. In an interview for TV BRICS, Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, expressed his opinion on the importance of reforestation and support for such initiatives. He discussed successful examples of other countries such as China, Brazil and Russia in conserving and restoring forest resources. The interview was devoted to discussing the current problem of reforestation in the world and various strategies on this issue.

In 2020, one in eight people on the planet faced hunger due to the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, despite a surplus of food. Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation Oleg Kobiakov gave a big interview for Moskovskiy Komsomolets and answered the question: is it time to introduce a system of food cards in Russia and is it right to destroy tons of food with bulldozers? He discussed about the history of the fight against hunger, the reasons for its occurrence, the situation with hunger in Russia, malnutrition and import substitution.

August

During the coronavirus pandemic and economic instability, many have already experienced a drop in income. And there will be even more such people in need. If we talk about our country, Russia is almost 100% self-sufficient in its grain, sugar and potatoes. The problem is the cost of vital products. Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation Oleg Kobiakov gave a big interview for Moskovskiy Komsomolets and told that Russia has ended chronic hunger, but at the same time a proportion of the population faces food shortages due to various life circumstances.

In an interview with Argumenty and Fakty, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation Oleg Kobiakov spoke about the high level of food losses in Russia, the reasons for such losses (for example, excess purchases by consumers and insufficient storage conditions), and possible ways to solve the problem, including promoting sustainable consumption, creating food banks and changes in legislation to simplify the transfer of products to charitable purposes. He also noted the role of the Rus food fund in various ways of using expired products, such as the production of animal feed or biofuels.

July

Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation Oleg Kobiakov presented for Regnum news agency data and opinions regarding the problem of global food security in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. He announced statistics on the number of hungry people in the world and the possible increase in this number due to the consequences of the pandemic. Kobiakov emphasized the need for concerted action by the international community to overcome the negative trend and achieve sustainable development goals, and also spoke about PhosAgro’s projects and programmes aimed at solving food security problems. The interview also mentions Russia’s high potential in agriculture and the need to use it to ensure food security not only in the country, but also globally.

June

Desert locusts, which are actively developing in eastern Africa this year and pose a serious threat to agriculture, may reach the Caucasus and Central Asia. This was reported in a press release from the FAO Moscow Office following a webinar at which measures to counter this threat were discussed. Interfax news agency quoted Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation Oleg Kobiakov as saying that the current situation with the spread of locusts in the world has no analogues. He told about the importance of donor support for humanitarian operations, about a funding gap of $133 million, and mentioned the Russian Federation's voluntary contribution of $10 million to fight locusts in East Africa.

In an interview for TV BRICS, Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, discussed a report by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on food shortages. He told that there is enough food in the world and it is expected that there will be enough after the end of the new harvest season. However, there is a problem related to economic and logistical problems. He also mentioned the scale of pests in Kenya and Uganda, as well as the favorable situation in the BRICS countries (Russia, China, South Africa, Brazil and India) due to large food production and large-scale social programs. Oleg Kobiakov said border closures and food supply restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic could be the main causes of the crisis.

April

Profitirai new agency in Bosnia and Herzegovina wrote about the assignment of Oleg Kobiakov to the position of Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, as well as his biography. The article mentioned that Oleg Kobiakov, a Russian citizen, has 35 years of experience in the Russian Foreign Ministry, including diplomatic missions in various countries. He also has experience working with UN organizations specializing in food and agriculture issues.

Sputnik news agency published an article that FAO stated that Russia could help other countries with food after the pandemic. Was discussed the claim that Russia could help other countries with food after the pandemic. The FAO report indicated a worsening food security situation due to the pandemic, although the global food market was still in good health. Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation argued that in the midst of a pandemic, “barriers are emerging that limit movement within and between countries,” and supply chains are being broken, making access to food difficult.

Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation Oleg Kobiakov gave one of his first extensive interviews for Moskovskiy Komsomolets and told that the COVID-19 pandemic has created an additional threat of global hunger, The article describes predictions that the coronavirus pandemic and economic crisis will lead to mass hunger. And the reason for hunger is the worsening financial situation and rising unemployment, which will force people to save on food. As a result, people will be forced to consciously limit their diet, giving preference to cheaper products.

February

Specialised news agency The Dairy News informed on the appointment of Oleg Kobiakov to the position of Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation. The article presents his biography and contribution to the relations between FAO and the Russian Federation.