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FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia

Increased capacity to implement global standards

Elements: phytosanitary, food safety standards, best practices and system architecture, sanitary/veterinary control issues

Global agricultural markets have become increasingly complex in the past two decades, mainly because of increasing controls and standards designed to ensure food safety and prevent the spread of plant and animal diseases.

In food safety, weaknesses in national controls and in the implementation of global food regulations have led to an emergence of standards and requirements being set by the private sector, with the involvement of certification bodies and regional organizations in implementation and enforcement. FAO helps countries develop country-specific food control systems, regulations and standards that are in harmony with global food standards.

FAO addresses animal health by supporting veterinary services in the prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases, the improvement of diagnostic and laboratory capacities, and the promotion of the prudent use of antimicrobials. Antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic diseases are important cross-cutting issues. Plant health issues are covered through the development of capacities of plant protection organizations at regional and national levels. This Regional Priority Programme also helps regional bodies develop capacities in biosafety. Through this Priority Programme, regional biosafety networks will be strengthened for compliance with WTO agreements.

FAO launches online course to strengthen brucellosis control
20/07/2026
Brucellosis remains one of the world's most significant bacterial diseases transmissible from animals to humans, threatening livestock production, rural livelihoods, food safety and public health. As most human infections originate from direct contact with infected animals or the consumption of contaminated dairy products, controlling the disease depends on well-trained veterinarians who can apply science-based approaches to surveillance, vaccination, diagnosis and outbreak response while working closely with partners across sectors. To strengthen veterinary capacity, the FAO Virtual Learning Center (VLC) for Europe and Central Asia has launched the pilot edition of its online tutored course, Management of brucellosis in domestic ruminants. 
Young pastoralists unite in Kyrgyzstan to shape the future of sustainable rangelands
17/07/2026
In Kyrgyzstan, rangelands are under increasing pressure from climate change, land degradation and growing livestock production. Yet healthy pastures are essential not only for feeding livestock and supporting rural livelihoods, but also for protecting biodiversity, conserving water resources and storing carbon. Their sustainable management is therefore vital for both people and the environment. As part of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, the Inter-Regional Summer School of Young Pastoralists took place in Kyrgyzstan. 
Azerbaijan increases preparedness against viral livestock disease
01/07/2026

FAO designed and implemented a foot-and-mouth disease simulation exercise in Ganja, Azerbaijan, on 30 June 2026. Exercise participants included private and official veterinarians, with the aim of equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to react quickly and effectively in the event of a disease outbreak.

Countries and experts unite to combat forest invasive species across Europe and Central Asia
23/06/2026
Experts, policymakers, researchers and forestry practitioners from across Europe and Central Asia gathered in Kyrgyzstan from 9 to 11 June for the Annual Meeting of the Forest Invasive Species Network for Europe and Central Asia (REUFIS), advancing regional efforts to address shared forest health issues and invasive species threats.
Growing smarter, eating safer
05/06/2026
In western Georgia, where humid conditions and increasingly unpredictable weather create constant pressure from pests and diseases, farmers are learning that producing safe food begins long before harvest. For Giorgi Gvaramia, responsible production starts with observation. With support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the European Union, and Sweden under ENPARD IV, his farm has been developed into a demonstration plot for local farmers to improve their knowledge on crop monitoring techniques, integrated pest management, greenhouse management, with the plan to use plant protection products more effectively resulting in safer crop production.
FAO hands over laboratory equipment and ELISA kits to support pandemic preparedness in Tajikistan
05/06/2026

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has provided the Committee for Food Security under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan with laboratory equipment and ELISA diagnostic kits to support national efforts to strengthen disease surveillance, food safety monitoring, and preparedness for animal health emergencies. The support is provided through the regional initiative “Pandemic Preparedness and Response through a One Health Approach in Central Asia”, financed by the Pandemic Fund. 

Fix the roof while the sun is shining: Strengthening peste des petits ruminants preparedness in the region
08/04/2026
A highly contagious transboundary disease affecting sheep and goats, PPR poses serious risks to food security, trade, and rural livelihoods. Building on the success of the Global Rinderpest Eradication Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and its partners are accelerating efforts toward global eradication of PPR.
FAO offers free multilingual course to improve biosecurity on ruminant farms
03/02/2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a new free virtual course to help ruminant farmers improve biosecurity on their farms. Available through FAO Virtual Learning Centres in English, Russian and Turkish, the self-paced “Improving Ruminant Biosecurity” course supports safer livestock production, healthier animals and more resilient farming systems.
Strengthening Europe’s capacity to respond to peste des petits ruminants
22/12/2025
Since its emergence in Europe in 2018, peste des petits ruminants (PPR) has continued to spread. Over the past two years, it has reached Albania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo1 and Romania, marking the first known incursions of the disease in some of those countries. As notifiable disease listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), one with high mortality rates and trade implications, PPR poses a serious threat to food security, rural livelihoods and national economies. 
Training raises hunter awareness of a deadly swine disease affecting wild boar in the Western Balkans
22/12/2025
A series of trainings recently concluded in Serbia and in Montenegro, helping hunters improve their knowledge of African swine fever (ASF) in wild boar and strengthen hunting biosecurity. Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the sessions reached more than 200 hunters. 
Experts meet in Dushanbe to advance sustainable livestock development in the region
17/12/2025
The Fourth Multistakeholder Regional Meeting of the Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock (GASL) came to a close today in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, bringing together livestock sector leaders and experts from across Central Asia, as well as participants from Azerbaijan and Türkiye. The event was jointly organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the GASL.
Serbia advances cross-sectoral collaboration through a One Health workshop
12/12/2025
Serbia took an important step towards strengthening its health security and fostering collaboration across human, animal, plant and environmental sectors during the two-day workshop “From theory to practice: Implementing the One Health approach holistically”, held in Belgrade on 1–2 December 2025. Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as the current chair of the Quadripartite (FAO, WHO, WOAH and UNEP), with the support of the other partner agencies, the event brought together over 40 representatives from government institutions, academia and international organizations to support Serbia in making the One Health approach operational.
FAO reinforces regional efforts to curb antimicrobial resistance at Moscow food safety conference
20/11/2025
As the world marks World AMR Awareness Week, 18–24 November, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reaffirmed its strong commitment to tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across Europe and Central Asia during the closing day of the second International Conference on Food Safety and Joint Efforts to Reduce Antimicrobial Resistance.
Turkmenistan improves the surveillance and control of a widespread disease – brucellosis
10/11/2025
A workshop on the surveillance and control of brucellosis took place in Ashgabat from 20 to 24 October. It was led by experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) within the framework of the regional project “Pandemic preparedness and response under the One Health approach in Central Asia”. 
FAO launches virtual training in Russian to boost field veterinarians’ response to zoonotic diseases
04/11/2025
Zoonotic diseases – infections transmitted from animals to humans – remain a serious threat to global health, livelihoods and food systems. In an era of climate change, antimicrobial resistance and increasing interaction between humans, livestock and wildlife, the risk of zoonoses is greater than ever. To strengthen regional preparedness and promote early detection, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a Russian-language version of its online course Zoonoses for Field Veterinarians. 
Strengthening veterinary capacity to combat African swine fever in the Western Balkans
30/10/2025

Today marks the conclusion of a series of trainings on African swine fever and stamping-out measures conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the Western Balkans.

The trainings were held in Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro, with support from national experts and veterinary services. An ASF expert from Latvia shared practical experience on stamping-out procedures. 

Regional experts unite to strengthen defenses against animal diseases in Europe and Central Asia
30/09/2025
More than 150 animal health experts, policymakers and international partners gathered in Belgrade from 22 to 25 September 2025 for the first Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) Regional Conference of Standing Groups of Experts on priority transboundary animal diseases in the European region. The event, supported by the European Union, marked the twentieth anniversary of GF-TADs Europe, a platform led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) to guide coordinated action against animal health threats.
Armenia advances foot-and-mouth disease control with FAO and EuFMD support
29/08/2025
From 18 to 20 August 2025, Yerevan hosted the Progressive Control Pathway for FMD national workshop, which gathered government officials, veterinary experts, farmers’ organizations and international partners to advance the national FMD control strategy in Armenia. The workshop, organized with FAO support under the EuFMD “Move FAST – GET Prepared” strategy, marked an important milestone for Armenia as the newest EuFMD member.
FAO regional workshop discusses response to ruminant disease outbreaks in Europe
26/06/2025
In response to the recent and sudden surge of transboundary animal diseases (TADs) affecting ruminants across Europe this year, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized a two-day regional workshop concluding today in Budapest, Hungary. The event brought together veterinary authorities and animal health experts from over a dozen countries to exchange experiences and strengthen regional coordination against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), peste des petits ruminants (PPR), and sheep and goat pox (SGP).
Smallholder woman farmer flourishing with innovative cheesemaking and modern dairy production practices in Georgia
06/06/2025
Amidst the citrus trees, cows crossing the streets and hazelnut orchards, a typical sight in the Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti region, Marina Kacharava, 69, is pursuing her passion of making high-value European cheeses in her small farm next to her home in the town of Abasha. In the region, she is one of the most successful students of a Farmer Field School (FFS) run by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).