The National Council for Sustainable Development of North Macedonia met in Skopje today to call on enhanced climate action through strategic engagement with the Green Climate Fund (GCF). It was convened by FAO and the cabinet of the deputy president of th

As the dragon-featuring hit series Game of Thrones has shown, knowing how to grow and tend sources of fire can be highly empowering, especially when winter is coming. Equally, misuse of the source can have destructive effects on people and ecosystems. Wh

Family farming shouldn’t be a solitary activity. Rural communities are key for supporting farmers and the development of the rural economy. In Europe and Central Asia, FAO has been supporting different initiatives and projects related to local rural devel

Women are key actors and caretakers of household food security, particularly in rural areas of Tajikistan. They are largely responsible for preparing meals, carrying drinking water, rationing food and caring for their children’s health. At the same time, they produce food, manage natural resources and make income to support their families.

The issues of water are complex, challenging, and universal. People mostly think of water as the solution for thirst. However, it is the magic ingredient in food as well, essential for agriculture, which accounts for 70 percent of fresh water withdrawals.

The Codex Alimentarius Coordinating Committee for Europe (CCEURO) concluded today with the adoption of a report outlining discussions on food fraud, emerging food safety and quality issues, use of Codex standards, updates on recent global conferences orga

Countries in Europe and Central Asia are highly diverse in climate, topography, ecology, and agriculture and as a result experience myriad external threats to plant health, known as heterogeneous phytosanitary systems. Pests damage crop production, forest

Georgia boasts an ideal climate and ample water resources for growing almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and hazelnuts. Although hazelnut production is well-established in Georgia – it is one of the top global exporters of hazelnuts – the country remains a net

Europe and the Caucasus are rich in lakes and rivers, which have provided food, income, and recreational and leisure opportunities for centuries, including a long history of European fish farming. Starting today, a five-day FAO workshop will present the c

Registration of pesticides is an important step in the management of pesticides. It enables authorities to determine which products are permitted to be used and for what purposes, and also to exercise control over quality, use levels, claims, labelling, p

Degradation of land and ecosystems is one of the greatest challenges that face countries around the world. Human socio-economic activities and bio-physical factors, such as deforestation and soil erosion, exacerbated by climate change, are the main causes

A team of speakers from FAO and the World Health Organization have contributed knowledge, expertise and vision to the four-day international forum “Bread Means Peace,” which has brought together professional bakers and food experts from more than 60 count

Climate change adaptation and mitigation, rapid urbanization, increasing natural disasters, migration issues and unresolved humanitarian conflicts... how can digital technologies, data, related policies and legislation help address these complex challenge

The development of rural areas and livelihoods in an integrated way will be the focus of a new FAO project beginning this week in North Macedonia. The project was launched in an event in Skopje today, organized by FAO and the Macedonian Ministry of Agric

With only about 2 percent of its total population severely undernourished (7 percent lower than the world average), the Europe and Central Asia region is better off than others with regards to food security. However, other forms of malnutrition are follow

Agriculture is one of the main pillars of Serbia’s economy. Now, FAO and the Government of Serbia agreed on the continuation of their joint work, ongoing since 2001, on advancing the sector. The Country Programming Framework that was signed today in Belgr

Upon request from the governments of Armenia, Georgia and Ukraine, FAO has been helping these countries maintain the genetic diversity and sustainable use of local brown cattle breeds suitable for both dairy and meat production. A two-day workshop starti

Fish from inland rivers and lakes, whether wild or raised through freshwater aquaculture, have the potential to make significant contributions to healthy diets and sustainable food supplies in Europe. This is the main message of two important meetings of

FAO technical consultation meetings in Budapest provide support for countries’ realization of the Sustainable Development Goals3 September 2019, Budapest, Hungary – Four years have passed since the signing of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a

Plants produce the oxygen we breathe and make up 80 percent of the food we eat. Simply put, plant health is vital for human health. According to FAO estimates, however, up to 40 percent of food crops are lost each year to plant pests and diseases. This is