FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia

News and events

News
10/05/2024
In the picturesque landscape of northern Albania's Tropoja region, nestled within the expansive chestnut forest massif, an ambitious initiative is taking shape. The chestnut sector is now the focus of the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The programme is a global FAO initiative that helps countries identify and then leverage the potential of special agricultural products to facilitate improved access to stable markets and acting as a key entry point for reaching their defined priorities. Special Agricultural Products are those which are unique to their agroecological production systems or of importance to national or cultural heritage. 
15/04/2024
In aquaculture, seed encompasses the different life stages of the young species – from egg to juveniles. Therefore, improving fish farmers’ access to quality seed is key to the growth of successful small-scale aquaculture, especially in developing countries. The ways and means to meet this need was the main theme of the discussions at an expert workshop co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Research Institute for Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences and held in Szarvas, Hungary, 27—28 March 2024.
10/04/2024

Horticulture can not only help farmers improve their incomes and livelihoods but also offer nutritious food and healthy diets for citizens in Bishkek and around the world. However, achieving this will require a great deal of innovation.

For this reason, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), together with the Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, launched the project “Introduction and promotion of innovative approaches for adopting best technologies for horticulture” in 2023 that aims to introduce and promote advanced practices and innovative solutions in horticulture in Kyrgyzstan.

08/04/2024
Locust infestations, aggravated by climate change and environmental factors, are a serious problem for agricultural production in Tajikistan, threatening food security and economic stability. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports the country via regional projects as part of its “Programme to improve national and regional locust management in Central Asia and Caucasus (CCA)”.
28/03/2024
The International Day of Zero Waste reminds us of the need for action at all levels and collaboration among diverse actors. Working together, we can create a transformative shift towards a more resilient and sustainable food system that ensures a better future for generations to come. The BioDAF project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), for example, has set up a farm school for the production of black soldier fly larvae. The larvae feed on organic waste and thereby reduce food waste. The dried larvae are used as animal feed in agriculture, and the frass can be turned into organic fertilizer.
27/03/2024
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is taking a leap forward in bolstering animal health training globally. The FAO Virtual Learning Center (VLC) for the Europe and Central Asia region has secured accreditation for three of its online courses through the Veterinary Continuing Education in Europe (VetCEE) – an international non-profit association founded as a joint initiative of veterinary academia, specialists and the profession. These accredited courses include topics as diverse as biosecurity for ruminants, African swine fever preparedness, and an introduction to One Health.
25/03/2024

Realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring a sustainable future for all is central to the work of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Data released by FAO from 2023 showed that the world is off-track to meet most of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets linked to hunger, food security, and nutrition. Given the increasingly short deadline to meet the 2030 Agenda, FAO, in collaboration with UN partners, has contributed to the 2024 Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, an event that provided a venue for participants to exchange knowledge, best practices, and policy solutions to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

15/03/2024
Zoonotic diseases – diseases that can pass between animals and people – continue to have major impacts on human health and cause economic losses. To support the Kyrgyz Republic in controlling such diseases, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Government of the United States of America through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic launched the Global health security and pandemic preparedness programme. It should enhance the One Health approach in the country and support its ability to prevent, detect and respond to zoonotic and other public health threats. 
11/03/2024
Slovenia has become the latest country to join the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission. Mateja Čalušić, Slovenia’s Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Food, submitted a letter to QU Dongyu, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), on 18 January 2024, expressing Slovenia’s wish to join EIFAAC.
25/01/2024

Agriculture is the main source of income for more than half of the population in the Republic of Moldova. To spur investments into the sector and provide a better life for Moldovan rural people, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Moldova organized a special event on investment in the republic in the framework of the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture in Berlin, Germany, within the Agrifood Partnership Forum of the Republic of Moldova launched in October 2023. 

12/12/2023

Globally, we are faced with an urgent and unprecedented need to significantly reduce the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the livestock sector caused by overuse and misuse of antimicrobials. 

To  accelerate work to combat AMR in the Western Balkans, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) convened a technical consultation meeting on antimicrobial use and resistance in the Western Balkans, from 6 to 7 December, in a hybrid format. 

02/10/2023
In historic Samarkand, Uzbekistan, leading thinkers from around the globe convened for an international conference on food security to discuss a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for the world's agrifood systems. The event was organized by the Government of Uzbekistan, with technical support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
13/09/2023
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) hosted a groundbreaking workshop that unveiled the findings of a pioneering survey on antimicrobials use (AMU) within the food and veterinary sector in Armenia. The survey, the first of its kind in Armenia, represents a significant step towards understanding and addressing the challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to the country's vital livestock sector.
04/09/2023

A new FAO emergency and resilience project funded by Luxembourg will provide cash and voucher assistance to 1 500 war-affected families engaged in livestock production.

31/08/2023
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with Mohii Tojikiston, the Tajik national authority responsible for fisheries and aquaculture development, held a workshop on warm-water aquaculture 22–23 August in Dushanbe. The workshop provided a venue for discussion of the challenges and opportunities to development of the aquaculture sector in the country, and updated participants on current warm-aquaculture technologies and production systems.
26/07/2023
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has announced its commitment to assess the competence of veterinary graduates in the field of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial stewardship in selected countries of Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia. 
21/07/2023
Potatoes are cultivated in over 150 countries and consumed all over the world, including here in Europe and Central Asia where it is both an important crop and a staple in regional diets.  It is food, fodder, and a source of income for farmers.
18/07/2023

Dairy and meat businesses in Central Asia, especially smaller ones, are being hit by multiple shocks – from the war in Ukraine, to droughts, to the lingering effects of COVID-19. 

06/07/2023

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are working to unite Georgia's unique food heritage, traditions and landscapes, by strengthening the links between agriculture and tourism. 

30/06/2023
Food safety saves lives. It is not only a crucial component of food security, but it also plays a vital role in reducing foodborne diseases that are estimated to affect every year 23 million people in Europe and Central Asia only. 
Events

28/ 1

2025

Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), 28/01/2025

The roundtable, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on 28 January in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, will focus on the current situation of echinococcosis in the country and planning collaborative actions. Representatives from the Ministry of water resources, agriculture and processing industry of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology an...

28/ 1

2025

29/1

2025

Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), 28/01/2025 - 29/01/2025

A two-day training seminar for the Kyrgyz Department of Organic Agriculture, Statistics Agency and Customs Committee staff and other related state bodies on inspection, certification and data-collection systems will be organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on 28-29 January 2025 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. 

19/ 1

2025

25/1

2025

Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), 19/01/2025 - 25/01/2025

In Kyrgyzstan, the practical workshop on epidemiological surveillance and risk assessment for animal health will focus on enhancing participants' skills in epidemiological surveillance, risk analysis, and qualitative risk assessments. The workshop will cover key topics such as animal health surveillance systems, prevalence estimation, disease detection surveys, and risk-based surveillance ...

19/ 12

2024

Kemin (Kyrgyzstan), 19/12/2024

The forum focuses on strengthening a multisectoral approach to zoonotic disease control and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) resilience in Kyrgyzstan. It will bring together government representatives, international organizations, and experts to discuss the outcomes of coordinated surveillance, AMR prevention efforts, and long-term goals under the One Health approach. One Health is an integrated,...

16/ 12

2024

18/12

2024

Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), 16/12/2024 - 18/12/2024

This training will cover topics such as food safety control, laboratory compliance with international standards, veterinary drug residue management, and hygiene requirements at production facilities. Participants will explore legislative frameworks, risk-based approaches, sampling methods, and validation of testing techniques. The event aims to strengthen national control systems and foster the...

19/ 12

2024

20/12

2024

Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), 19/12/2024 - 20/12/2024

A major constraint to increasing aquaculture production in Turkmenistan is access to cost-effective, high-quality aquafeed. Poor quality feeds...

21/ 11

2024

Baku (Azerbaijan), 21/11/2024

As part of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the FAO and the Government of Türkiye will host a side event showcasing joint efforts in transforming agrifood systems and advancing sustainable forestry. This event will spotlight the FAO–Türkiye Partnership Programmes, highlighting Türkiye’s significant contributions and their impact across...

15/ 10

2024

Virtual Event, 15/10/2024

The inception meeting for the project, 'Sustainable Beekeeping and Exchange of Cooperation between Türkiye and Ukraine', will be held on 15 Oc...

8/ 10

2024

12/10

2024

Fethiye (Türkiye), 08/10/2024 - 12/10/2024

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Chamber of Forest Engineers in Türkiye (OMO) has been collaborating under the initiative on “Developing regional guidelines on value chain development and market access for non-wood forest products (NWFP) in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Caucasus.” In the framework of this, the parties are organizing a regional capacit...

9/ 10

2024

Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), 09/10/2024

On 9 October in Bishkek, FAO will host the inception workshop for the “Pandemic Fund (Kyrgyzstan): Pandemic Preparedness and Response through a One Health Approach in Central Asia” project. The workshop, running from 9:00 to 13:00 Bishkek time, will introduce the project's goals, focusing on enhancing pandemic preparedness and response through a comprehensive One Health approach.

17/ 9

2024

Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), 17/09/2024

The workshop will address the development of a risk-based plan for managing zoonotic diseases, which are critical for maintaining public and animal health. The event will involve the Kyrgyz State Veterinary Services and laboratory staff, who will collaborate on creating a draft risk-based surveillance plan for at least one zoonotic disease.

16/ 9

2024

17/9

2024

Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), 16/09/2024 - 17/09/2024

This workshop is part of the FAO project under the “Global Health Security Program”, aiming to enhance Kyrgyzstan's One Health approach and its capacity to control zoonotic diseases. The workshop will train veterinary inspectors from various border control points across Kyrgyzstan, equipping them with essential skills in risk assessment and management for the import and export of animal and ani...

12/ 9

2024

Chișinău (Moldova), 12/09/2024

On 12 September 2024 in Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova, an international conference is organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the German-Moldovan Agricultural Policy Dialogue (APD), in collaboration with the Moldovan Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, on the inclusion of smallholder farmers in agrifood value chains of the Republic of Moldova.

28/ 8

2024

29/8

2024

Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), 28/08/2024 - 29/08/2024

The Third One Health National Forum, which is part of the FAO Project "Enhancing the One Health approach in Kyrgyzstan and its capacity to control zoonotic diseases," is set to build on the progress made in the previous two forums held in April and June 2024. The workshop will continue to strengthen collaboration and coordination between the human health, animal health, and environmental sector...

5/ 9

2024

6/9

2024

Tashkent (Uzbekistan), 05/09/2024 - 06/09/2024

The International High-Level Forum on Land Locked Developing Countries on Food Security and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is organized jointly by the Government of Uzbekistan and FAO on 5 to 6 September in Tashkent. The Forum seeks to gather key actors in Land Locked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and supporting international institutions to share experiences, discuss common challenges...

25/ 6

2024

Virtual Event, 25/06/2024

Every year on 7 June, FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO) invite everyone to observe World Food Safety Day, to celebrate the achievements and remember that ensuring food safety is a shared responsibility. This year's events are framed by the theme "Food safety: prepare for the unexpected." FAO and WHO are organizing a joint webinar at 11.30 to 12.45 on 25 June, targeting ...

21/ 5

2024

23/5

2024

Budapest (Hungary), Hybrid Event, 21/05/2024 - 23/05/2024

The Regional Technical Workshop, which will be held in Budapest and online on 21-23 May 2024, is organized under the framework of the Technical Cooperation Programme  “Transforming agrifood systems in the Europe and Central Asia region” and serves as a pivotal platform for advancing the agenda of transforming agrifood systems in Europe and Central Asia. By fostering collaboration, policy c...

11/ 3

2024

Virtual Event, 11/03/2024

“Plate, People and Planet: unveiling Finland’s journey towards sustainable food systems transformation with the National Convenor”,  is the sixth Food Systems Talk organized by the Issue-based Coalition on Sustainable Food Systems (IBC SFS).    

27/ 3

2024

Virtual Event, 27/03/2024

The webinar will present a case of food loss and waste analysis amplified with a study of the behavioural causes of the issue and the assessme...

11/ 12

2023

Hybrid Event, 11/12/2023

To better understand the impact of the triple crises on food security in Europe and Central Asia and to offer pertinent guidance and support to the vulnerable countries, FAO has commissioned a study on the consequences of the current food, energy and finance crisis on food security in vulnerable countries of Europe and Central Asia. The study is a part of FAO’s Regional Technical Cooperation Pr...

4/ 9

2023

6/9

2023

Podgorica (Montenegro), 04/09/2023 - 06/09/2023

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an intergovernmental treaty signed by over 180 countries, which aims to protect the world's plant resources from the spread and introduction of pests, and promote safe trade. The IPPC regional workshops help participants understand the regional phytosanitary realities and ch...

24/ 7

2023

Virtual Event, 24/07/2023

The next Food Systems Talk entitled “Feeding Europe in a changing climate: Challenges and opportunities for sustainable food systems transformation”, is jointly organized by the Issue-based Coalition on Sustainable Food Systems (IBC-SFS) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

8/ 6

2023

9/6

2023

Samarkand (Uzbekistan), 08/06/2023 - 09/06/2023

FAO and the Subregional Representation for Central Asia of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) are organizing the third workshop of the Central Asian Animal Health Network (CAAHN). 

26/ 5

2023

Virtual Event, 26/05/2023

Biocontrol is a case study of healthy, biodiversity-rich, resilient agriculture, which will be promoted through the OCOP initiative. This webinar will serve as a forum to share knowledge, experiences and lessons learned in sustainable pest and pesticide management from different countries that are inte...

17/ 5

2023

Virtual Event, 17/05/2023

Avian influenza is a highly contagious transboundary disease with zoonotic potential. In its high pathogenicity form, AI causes variable clinical signs in poultry and birds, including severe illness. It can lead to high mortality rates in poultry flocks, as well as in populations of wild birds and mammals. The disease comes at a high cost. Not only due to the production losses associated to ...

2/ 5

2023

3/5

2023

Tashkent (Uzbekistan), 02/05/2023 - 03/05/2023

FAO launched the Global Action on Green Development of the Special Agricultural Products (SAPs): “One Country One Priority Product” (OCOP) in September 2021 to address the current and recurring challenges of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition as well as to contribute to the development of smallholders and family farms, amongst other strategic objectives. Subsequently, in July 2022, the OC...

17/ 4

2023

Virtual Event, 17/04/2023

 FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye bring together national stakeholders and partner organizations from across the sub-region to mark the closure of the three-year project “Reduction of Food Loss and Waste in Central Asia, Azerbaijan and Türkiye” and present the main results of their activities since the project commencement in 2...

16/ 11

2021

Hybrid Event, 16/11/2021

Time: 09:00 – 17:00 CET International attention on the issue of food loss and waste (FLW) is firmly reflected in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Specifically, Target 12.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which embody this agenda, calls

30/ 11

2021

2/12

2021

Hybrid Event, 30/11/2021 - 02/12/2021

Participating countries: Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan Organizers: FAO, through its regional office for Europe and Central Asia is organizing a regional training on brucellosis laboratory diagnosis. Brucellosis was iden

8/ 12

2021

9/12

2021

Hybrid Event, 08/12/2021 - 09/12/2021

Participating countries: Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan Background: FAO, through its regional office for Europe and Central Asia and in collaboration with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) launched in Novemb

8/ 12

2021

Hybrid Event, 08/12/2021

Join the discussion on 8 December, 10:00 – 12:00 CET The recent UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2021 estimated that 26 percent of all food waste generated in 2019 came from food service. In this regard, restaurants, catering, and hospitality enterprises (Ho

20/ 12

2021

Hybrid Event, 20/12/2021

On 20 December FAO and oriGIn hosted the Third Regional Consultation on Geographical Indication in Europe and Central Asia. The virtual meeting was organized in the context of an FAO project aimed at supporting the development of Geographical Indications

25/ 1

2022

Hybrid Event, 25/01/2022

As part of the activities under the joint SAVE FOOD Initiative, FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation and Messe Dusseldorf Moscow will assemble the Fifth Conference on food loss and waste reduction. The event, organized in the framework of the an

31/ 1

2022

4/2

2022

Hybrid Event, 31/01/2022 - 04/02/2022

Participating countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine The Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Global Control and Eradication Strategy was approved in 2015 under the umbrella of the Global

17/ 3

2022

Hybrid Event, 17/03/2022

9:00 – 12:00 CET Considering the importance of African swine fever (ASF) for the agribusiness sector of Southern and Eastern Europe the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD

10/ 6

2022

Hybrid Event, 10/06/2022

11:00 - 12:15 CEST FAO and WHO celebrated World Food Safety Day on 7 June under the theme "Safer food, better health" to highlight the vital role of food safety in saving lives of millions, and ensuring fair trade all over the world. On this occasion, F

14/ 6

2022

Hybrid Event, 14/06/2022

14:00 – 15:30 (CEST) The FAO Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum) is pleased to invite you to the policy webinar “Designing public programmes to promote investment of family remittances in the development of small and medium agribusine

27/ 6

2022

30/6

2022

Hybrid Event, 27/06/2022 - 30/06/2022

Damages caused by saproxylic (bark and wood boring) beetles have increased significantly in recent decades across Europe and Central Asia. Besides of the problems caused by native bark beetles, the effect of introduced or invasive ambrosia beetles shows a

5/ 9

2022

7/9

2022

Hybrid Event, 05/09/2022 - 07/09/2022

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an intergovernmental treaty signed by over 180 countries, which aims to protect the world's plant resources from the spread and introduction of pests, and promote safe trade. The IPPC regional worksh

14/ 12

2022

15/12

2022

Hybrid Event, 14/12/2022 - 15/12/2022

Earlier, FAO launched a Technical Cooperation Programme to strengthen preparedness against lumpy skin disease in Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.