Empowering rural women is central to fulfilling the mission of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to eradicate hunger and ensure food security globally. Women play critical roles in agrifood systems as farmers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. However, their contributions are often limited by systemic inequalities that impact their working conditions and economic opportunities. 

Ensuring food safety and quality remains a top priority for North Macedonia. Codex Alimentarius standards are a crucial set of tools to ensure food safety and quality across the food chain from production through to consumption. Co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Food and Veterinary Agency of North Macedonia, a national event was held on 19 February dedicated to promoting the Codex standards. The event was another step in strengthening the country’s food safety and quality through the FAO/WHO Codex Trust Fund project.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), partnering with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the Ministry of Agriculture of Tajikistan, today set in motion a new project to develop locally relevant recommendations to ensure healthy diets from sustainable food systems in Tajikistan. The project was launched today at a national inception workshop that raised awareness about the potential for food systems-based dietary guidelines (FSBDGs) to contribute to the country’s development goals and national priorities. 

Over the past two years, Moldovan farmers have faced a devastating drought, economic hardship and the ripple effects of the war in Ukraine, jeopardizing their livelihoods. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with important financial support from the Austrian Development Agency and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, responded promptly to this crisis. Through a joint project with the United Nations Development Programme, FAO provided emergency support to more than 17 000 vulnerable small-scale farmers and households across 23 districts of the country.

The agriculture sector in the Republic of Moldova, a cornerstone of the national economy, faces many diverse challenges. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry of the Republic of Moldova today signed a new project agreement aimed at strengthening agricultural extension and advisory services to make it easier for farmers to receive crucial information, advice and training opportunities.

On 27 February 2025, key stakeholders gathered in Baku for the national inception meeting of the project “Building Capacities on Food Consumption Data for Better Nutrition and Safer Food”. The initiative aims to equip Azerbaijan with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed, data-driven decisions that improve public health and nutrition. By strengthening national data systems, this project will help ensure that the people of Azerbaijan have access to safer, more nutritious food.

The safety of workers in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors worldwide remains a concern. Despite efforts by governing bodies and other responsible entities, the number of accidents in these fields continues to be persistently high globally. For this reason, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of Kyrgyzstan, organized a regional workshop to discuss a draft Code of Practice on Occupational Health and Safety in Aquaculture and Fisheries for Central Asia and the Caucasus.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representation in Armenia and Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) co-hosted the “Enhancing the Visibility of Farmers Offering Agritourism Services” Conference last week. 
The event united key players from Armenia’s agritourism and tourism sectors to foster cooperation and broaden the impact of rural tourism. It was held within the framework of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and FAO implemented “Local Empowerment of Actors for Development in Lori and Tavush regions (LEAD)” project and the FAR driven “Poverty Reduction in Tavush Region” project.

To protect the health of people, animals, and ecosystems, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in Bosnia and Herzegovina have launched a joint project titled “SDG Localisation Through Healthy Food Systems Transformation.” Rooted in the One Health approach, this initiative tackles the interconnected challenges affecting human, animal, plant, and environmental health. By focusing on transforming urban food systems in Trebinje, Bijeljina, Kakanj, and Široki Brijeg, the project aims to build local capacity and establish participatory platforms that bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, from government bodies and civil society organizations to the private sector and local communities.

On 20 February an agreement for the project “Enhancing the resilience of Serbian forests to ensure energy security of the most vulnerable while contributing to their livelihoods and carbon sequestration (FOREST Invest)’’ was signed between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in its capacity as an Accredited Entity of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Government of the Republic of Serbia, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, as well as two public enterprises “Srbijašume” and “Vojvodinašume”.