News

Desertification

At COP16, governments are expected to negotiate commitments to enhance resilience at all levels, building on recommendations from the Intergovernmental Working Group on Drought established at COP15.

Livestock

New FMD vaccine offers hope for East African farmers, boosting dairy productivity and trade by protecting cattle from all major virus strains.

Rice production

Initial funding for the development of regional value chains in rice cultivation as part of the “Regional Rice Development in West Africa” project has been approved. The project aims to enhance food security, empower…

Climate change

The UN Climate Change Conference in Baku was concluded with a new agreement on climate finance which observers have criticised for not being ambitious enough.

Climate change

A new platform will help farmers navigate the current network of agriculture-focused initiatives and programmes, supporting the development of climate-resilient villages and rural communities for adaptation action in the…

New initiative aims to fast-track global efforts towards eradicating hunger and poverty, key priorities under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Climate change

A new FAO analysis highlights the tremendous potential of agrifood systems as climate solutions. It maps Nationally Determined Contributions and identifies opportunities, gaps and risks related to agrifood climate…

Climate change

At COP29 in Baku, leaders launched a new initiative to tackle the urgent nexus of climate change, conflict, and humanitarian needs. Through global partnerships and innovative solutions, the initiative aims to sets the…

Biodiversity

Many tree species are threatened with extinction, impacting ecosystems and human livelihoods. Islands face the highest risk due to deforestation and climate change. Urgent conservation, habitat protection and community…

Biodiversity

It was not possible to settle the crucial issue of finance at the Biodiversity Conference in Cali. However, resolutions were adopted which are to focus more attention on Indigenous Peoples and ensure fairer use of…

Agricultural policies

Africa's role in the global seed certification system is to be strengthened. A new initiative, set for a five-year rollout, seeks to empower up to 14 African nations, increasing yields, income and resilience while…

Land governance

Just under a quarter of all adults world-wide feel that they could lose the right to some or all their property during the next five years. This share is significantly higher than that three years ago, the Prindex Report…

The 2024 World Food Forum brought together global leaders to explore innovations in agrifood systems, with a focus on AI, gene editing and sustainable investments. Highlights include youth-driven initiatives and support…

Biodiversity

In late October 2024, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault received a deposit of more than 30,000 new seed samples from 23 depositors across 21 countries, including seven international genebanks. This marks the largest number…

Health

At the World Health Summit 2024, participants discussed how to improve health world-wide. One highlight was the largest ever donor event for the WHO.