News
FAO land banking and land consolidation project in Türkiye leaves a rich legacy
22/07/2025
Workshops aim to help revitalize aquaculture in Turkmenistan
17/07/2025
Commercial aquaculture in Turkmenistan dates to the early 1970s, with the introduction of pond-based fish farming. However, production levels declined sharply after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Reviving freshwater aquaculture – particularly through smallholder farming approaches – has the potential to diversify farmers’ livelihoods, contribute to resilient agrifood systems and help mitigate the impacts of climate change. Accelerating this process in Turkmenistan, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), within the framework of a Technical Cooperation Programme project, concluded two workshops on 16 and 17 July on aquatic animal health management and aquaculture systems design and operation.
Tajikistan adopts programme for the digitalization of the agricultural sector with FAO support
11/07/2025
Strengthening legal pathways to land and property rights for Kosovan rural women
01/07/2025
Advancing gender equality and ensuring equitable access to land and property for rural women is essential for sustainable rural development. To promote increased equity in land tenure, a series of legal advisory workshops were recently held in Pristina, Prizren, and Istog, bringing together over 130 licensed notaries and municipal cadastral officials from across Kosovo1. Three workshops held on 24 and 31 May and 14 June 2025 were organized under a project on promoting rural women’s empowerment, that is jointly implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and UN Women, with financial support from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), and in close collaboration with the Notary Chamber of Kosovo.
Tajikistan hosts workshop to promote gender-transformative approaches in fisheries and aquaculture
26/06/2025
Women across Central Asia and the Caucasus play a critical role in fisheries and aquaculture value chains. Typically, they are involved in pre- and post-harvest activities, such as net mending, fish processing, marketing and trade, while men take on fishing roles, particularly in coastal and deep-sea waters. To address these challenges, the Central Asian and Caucasus Regional Fisheries and Aquaculture Commission (CACFish), in collaboration with the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and FAO’s Representation in Tajikistan, convened a national workshop in Dushanbe to bring together policymakers and practitioners in support of gender-transformative approaches in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
Rural women take centre stage in Montenegro’s Parliament as historic declaration is adopted
12/06/2025
On 8 May 2025, the Parliament of Montenegro hosted the 18th session of the “Women’s Parliament,” under the theme “Voices of Women from Rural Montenegro.” The session aimed to amplify the voices of rural women, recognize their contributions and advocate for their stronger representation in public life. It culminated in the adoption of the Declaration of the First Rural Women’s Parliament, a significant step toward inclusive policymaking and the recognition of rural women as key contributors to sustainable development.
Using the power of youth to revive rural areas
11/06/2025
LANDNET workshop to discuss good practices on land consolidation success in Europe and around the world
28/05/2025
In many countries of the Europe and Central Asia region, the majority of smallholder farmers own fragmented land parcels that are difficult to farm efficiently, hampering economic growth and sustainable production.
One solution is land consolidation, the reallocation of agricultural land parcels to improve the farm structure. At a three-day LANDNET workshop in Budapest, Hungary, from 28 to 30 May, experts from more than 30 countries will discuss how the process benefits women’s land rights and tenure security, combats climate change and land degradation, and boosts the development and regulation of agricultural land markets.
New digital technologies boost beekeeping for smallholder farmers and family beekeepers
20/05/2025
Sowing the seeds of change: Montenegro modernizes smallholder feed production one experiment at a time
19/05/2025
North Macedonia steps up efforts to digitalize agriculture
06/05/2025
Securing land rights with just a few clicks
28/04/2025
FAO support to Tajikistan’s cooperatives and rural development improves agricultural productivity
17/04/2025
From farmers to government officials — everyone benefits from a digital land cadastre
15/04/2025
Innovative farming in Tajikistan
03/04/2025
Twinning for digital agriculture
21/03/2025
Moldovan farmers receive critical support amid drought, economic crisis
03/03/2025
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.
FAO, Republic of Moldova join forces to better train and support farmers
28/02/2025
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.
Gender inequality in rural Georgia: challenges and pathways for parity in agrifood systems
19/02/2025
Rural women in Georgia make important contributions across the spectrum of activities in agrifood systems, working in food production, processing and sales. Yet, according to the National gender profile of agriculture and rural livelihoods: Georgia by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), they face significant intersecting inequalities, marginalization and discrimination. The report sheds light on gender issues in rural households and family farming, focusing on different agriculture subsectors, fisheries and forestry.
FAO and the European Union provide grants of up to USD150 000 to support aggregation models in berry and vegetable production
17/02/2025
Events
15/12
2025
19/12
2025
Working Group on Stock Assessment of Demersal Species Session II - Invertebrates
Metropolitan City of Rome Capital (Italy), 15/12/2025 - 19/12/2025
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization established in 1949 by FAO. It plays a critical role in fisheries governance, and has the authority to make binding recommendations for fisheries conservation and management and for aquaculture development.The main objective of the annual meetings – including plenary, benchmark and ad-h...
8/12
2025
13/12
2025
Working Group on Stock Assessment of Small Pelagic Species
Metropolitan City of Rome Capital (Italy), 08/12/2025 - 13/12/2025
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization established in 1949 by FAO. It plays a critical role in fisheries governance, and has the authority to make binding recommendations for fisheries conservation and management and for aquaculture development. The main objective of the annual meetings – including plenary, benchmark and ad-...
8/12
2025
12/12
2025
Working Group on Stock Assessment of Demersal Species Session I - Vertebrates
Metropolitan City of Rome Capital (Italy), 08/12/2025 - 12/12/2025
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization established in 1949 by FAO. It plays a critical role in fisheries governance, and has the authority to make binding recommendations for fisheries conservation and management and for aquaculture development. The main objective of the annual meetings – including plenary, benchmark and ad-...
3/11
2025
9/11
2025
48th session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)
Málaga (Spain), 03/11/2025 - 09/11/2025
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization established in 1949 by FAO. It plays a critical role in fisheries governance, and has the authority to make binding recommendations for fisheries conservation and management and for aquaculture development.
11/11
2025
12/11
2025
National antimicrobial resistance (AMR) working group meeting
Chüy Region (Kyrgyzstan), 11/11/2025 - 12/11/2025
An off-site meeting of the interdepartmental working group is planned with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision, as well as FAO experts and other relevant actors.
13/11
2025
14/11
2025
Training on artificial insemination for farmers in Karakol city
Karakol (Kyrgyzstan), 13/11/2025 - 14/11/2025
The main goal of the training is to enhance the capacity of artificial insemination technicians to improve livestock production in Kyrgyzstan.
10/11
2025
11/11
2025
Training on artificial insemination for farmers in Naryn city
Naryn (Kyrgyzstan), 10/11/2025 - 11/11/2025
The main goal of the training is to enhance the capacity of artificial insemination technicians to improve livestock production in Kyrgyzstan.
22/11
2025
23/11
2025
Workshop: Creating and maintaining digital veterinary records in Karakol city
Karakol (Kyrgyzstan), 22/11/2025 - 23/11/2025
The workshop aims to strengthen the skills of Kyrgyz state and private veterinarians in creating and maintaining digital veterinary records. It emphasizes how electronic systems enhance transparency, efficiency, and reliability of veterinary control.
15/11
2025
16/11
2025
Workshop: Creating and maintaining digital veterinary records in Bishkek city
Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), 15/11/2025 - 16/11/2025
The workshop aims to strengthen the skills of Kyrgyz state and private veterinarians in creating and maintaining digital veterinary records. It emphasizes how electronic systems enhance transparency, efficiency, and reliability of veterinary control.
8/11
2025
9/11
2025
Workshop: Creating and maintaining digital veterinary records in Naryn city
Naryn (Kyrgyzstan), 08/11/2025 - 09/11/2025
The workshop aims to strengthen the skills of Kyrgyz state and private veterinarians in creating and maintaining digital veterinary records. It emphasizes how electronic systems enhance transparency, efficiency, and reliability of veterinary control.
22/9
2025
23/9
2025
Interregional Dialogue on Family Farming for Europe and Central Asia
Metropolitan City of Rome Capital (Italy), 22/09/2025 - 23/09/2025
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is organizing the Interregional Dialogue on Family Farming for Europe and Central Asia under the United Nations Decade of Family Farming 2019-2028 (UNDFF) from 22 to 23 September 2025, at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The two-day event will take place together with the
26/9
2025
Launch of the Land Tenure Journal – special issue on land consolidation
Virtual Event, 26/09/2025
FAO invites you to the virtual launch of the newly published Land Tenure Journal – Special issue on land consolidation that will take place on 26 September. This special issue, recently published by FAO, features 12 articles about land consolidation.
12/8
2025
Celebrating International Youth Day in 2025
12/08/2025
To mark this year’s International Youth Day, celebrated annually on 12 August, youth leaders from across Europe and Central Asia will come together for an engaging regional webinar titled “Stronger Together – Sharing Good Practices Across European Youth Chapters”.
17/7
2025
National training workshop on aquaculture systems design and operation
Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), 17/07/2025
Commercial aquaculture in Turkmenistan dates backs to the early 1970s when pond fish culture was introduced to the country, however, production figures indicate that production decreased significantly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The reestablishment of freshwater aquaculture, especially smallholder farming models, has the potential to diversify farmer livelihoods, contribu...
16/7
2025
National training workshop on aquatic animal health management
Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), 16/07/2025
Aquaculture is a diverse production sector that encompasses a wide range of culture species, environments, production systems and practices. The complex and diverse nature of the sector leads to a broad range of hazards and related risks that have the potential to impact production, food security, profitability, livelihoods and biodiversity. In this respect, disease represents one of the most s...
11/6
2025
13/6
2025
Second Regional Rural Youth Forum for Europe and Central Asia
Budapest (Hungary), Hybrid Event, 11/06/2025 - 13/06/2025
Young women and men can play a catalytic role in supporting economic growth and development in rural areas. However, there are still gaps in understanding the specific economic, social, and cultural issues that affect their aspirations, livelihoods, well-being, and integration into local economies. Given this, effective policies and interventions are needed to support rural youth’s livelihoods,...
14/1
2025
18/1
2025
Training on RuralInvest toolkit (Kyrgyzstan)
(Kyrgyzstan), 14/01/2025 - 18/01/2025
Training for cooperatives from Naryn and Issyk-Kul regions to learn how to develop business plans using the RuralInvest toolkit. The RuralInvest toolkit offers users an interactive, hands-on path, going from theory to practice, to work together with the entrepreneurs and create feasible, appropriate, and sustainable business plans. Thus, beneficiaries in Kyrgyzstan will be equipped with knowled...
17/12
2024
19/12
2024
Speed dating consultations
Batken (Kyrgyzstan), 17/12/2024 - 19/12/2024
Within the framework of the project “Capacitated women civil society organizations sustaining peace in Kyrgyzstan”, so-called "Speed dating" sessions will be held in two rural areas of Batken district with the participation of national experts and local self-government bodies, local council deputies and residents.
19/9
2024
Workshop: Resolving private-public co-ownership to improve agricultural land management and land tenure in the Pelagonija Region
Bitola (North Macedonia), 19/09/2024
On 19 September 2024, FAO, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Economy of North Macedonia, will launch the project “Support for Resolving Private-Public Co-ownership to Improve Agricultural Land Management and Land Tenure in the Pelagonija Region”, under the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme. The workshop, taking place in the Council Hall of the Municipality o...
5/6
2024
7/6
2024
15th International LANDNET Workshop
Middelburg (Netherlands), 05/06/2024 - 07/06/2024
The 15th LANDNET workshop will take place from 5 to 7 June 2024 in Middelburg, Netherlands. The workshop is organized by FAO together with Kadaster and the Province of Zeeland in the Netherlands.
13/12
2023
Regional consultation on integrated land use planning
Virtual Event, 13/12/2023
FAO published the first 'Guidelines for land-use planning' in 1993 as the first key source of knowledge on land use planning. After 30 years, new challenges, demands and insights for integrated land use planning call for an update of these guidelines. In this context, FAO has been working on the new version of 'Guidelines for integrated land use planning - an update' in collaboration with key p...
29/11
2023
30/11
2023
Regional Rural Youth Forum for Europe and Central Asia
Budapest (Hungary), Hybrid Event, 29/11/2023 - 30/11/2023
To better coordinate the youth-related work and processes in the ECA region, under the Regional Priority Programme on Empowering smallholders, family farms and youth, facilitating rural livelihoods and poverty reduction, FAO organizes the Regional Rural Youth Forum for Europe and Central Asia.
5/9
2023
Youth consultation: Take action and scale up initiatives to reduce food loss and waste
Virtual Event, 05/09/2023
Join us for the conversation on shaping food waste policy in Europe and Central Asia. Food waste has wide-ranging consequences, impacting resources, the environment, and social equity. At the World Food Forum, we are dedicated to reducing food waste globally. In response to its importance, our Europe and Central Asia team conducted a comprehensive analysis of food waste policy in the region, id...
5/9
2023
7/9
2023
14th International LANDNET Workshop
İstanbul (Türkiye), 05/09/2023 - 07/09/2023
The 14th international LANDNET workshop will take place from 5 to 7 September 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye, organized by FAO in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye.
22/6
2022
24/6
2022
2nd Regional Workshop on integrated community development
Budapest (Hungary), Hybrid Event, 22/06/2022 - 24/06/2022
Based on country experiences, FAO aims at further developing the concept of integrated community development for Europe and Central Asia. FAO established an informal regional technical network on community development in 2019. The 2022 workshop should help revitalize the technical network and strengthen partnerships with key regional and national actors.
18/5
2023
Digital Villages in Action in Europe and Central Asia
Virtual Event, 18/05/2023
Join us for the “Digital Villages in Action in Europe and Central Asia” virtual event, where we will launch DVI actions in eight countries, bringing together policy actors, stakeholders, partners, and beneficiaries. The event will be held on Zoom on 18 May 2023, from 09.30 to 12.00 (CEST) with English-Russian interpretation.
26/4
2023
Promoting youth engagement in agriculture and food systems in Europe and Central Asia
Virtual Event, 26/04/2023
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) is organizing a series of regional youth consultations on promoting youth engagement in agriculture and food systems in Europe and Central Asia.
Participants will discuss how to enlarge youth engagement in agricultural value chains in the region. The event will consider the benefits and gains that youth can bri...
23/1
2023
25/1
2023
Training on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas
İstanbul (Türkiye), 23/01/2023 - 25/01/2023
Small-scale family farmers can be instrumental in elevating human rights in the food and agriculture sector – a key element in ensuring the sustainability of food security.
27/4
2022
28/4
2022
Subregional workshop on land market development in Central Asia
Hybrid Event, 27/04/2022 - 28/04/2022
The workshop will gather representatives of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as experts from the government, academia, civil society, and the private sector to share experience in land market management
6/6
2023
8/6
2023
Third Regional workshop on integrated community development
Budapest (Hungary), 06/06/2023 - 08/06/2023
Based on country experiences, FAO aims at further developing the concept of integrated community development for Europe and Central Asia. FAO established an informal regional technical network on community development in 2019.
24/6
2022
Regional Dialogue on the United Nations Decade of Family Farming
Hybrid Event, 24/06/2022
9:00 – 13:00 CEST In the framework of the 2nd Regional Workshop on integrated community development, FAO is organizing a regional dialogue on the United Nations Decade of Family Farming in Europe and Central Asia in a hybrid modality. The aim of the eve
14/9
2022
Leveraging the potential of multi-purpose land consolidation in Eastern Europe
Hybrid Event, 14/09/2022
FAO and the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) are organizing a joint sessions during the 2022 FIG Congress with a special focus on the potential for multi-purpose land consolidation in countries of Eastern Europe. The objective of the session