FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

News and Press Releases

Water scarcity in Asia-Pacific casts a dark cloud over World Food Day, where the message ‘Water is life, water is food’ takes on a special urgency
Competing demands for access to freshwater in the Asia-Pacific region are intensifying, and this could have dire consequences for the region’s massive agriculture sector and, ultimately, could interrupt regular and affordable access to food for millions of people in the region, water resource management experts have warned. The note of caution was expressed during the Asia-Pacific 2023 World Food Day observances, convened today in Bangkok, by the Food and Agriculture Organization...
Oral rabies vaccination shows promising results in Bali, Indonesia
Recent studies conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through its Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), together with the Australia-Indonesia Health Security Partnership (AIHSP), Ceva Sante Animale – a global animal health company, and the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, have revealed the effectiveness of implementing oral rabies vaccination in Bali, Indonesia. The studies have become a critical finding in rabies prevention and elimination...
Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission encourages regional action to enhance management of nearly 20 percent of global forests
Action is needed to unlock the full potential of forests to achieve carbon-neutral economies in Asia and the Pacific, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission heard in Sydney this week as it met to discuss the challenges and evolving dynamics of the region’s forests. Hosted by the Government of Australia, from 2-6 October, the Commission discussed the current state of forests in the Asia-Pacific...
FAO and Japan launch project to halt global deforestation through sustainable agriculture
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) launched a project this week that aims to tackle global deforestation by leveraging the transformative role that agricultural supply chains can play as a solution. The three-year project – entitled Building Global Capacity on Halting Deforestation and Conversions from Agricultural Commodities – was announced during the 30th Session of the...
Fourth Digital Agriculture Solutions Forum for Asia and the Pacific urges scaling up digital innovations to meet agrifood system challenges
At the 4th Digital Agriculture Solutions Forum for Asia and the Pacific, organized in Bangkok from 27-28 September, senior government officials, agritech developers, young agritech founders, researchers, and development practitioners from 15 countries have gathered in Bangkok to take stock of the latest digital agriculture landscape, review successful innovations, and exchanged on countries programmes and initiatives. Under the overall theme: "Digital Agriculture landscape and recent advances in Asia and the Pacific...
Youth from Asia–Pacific explore solutions for food loss and waste reduction at Model United Nations Conference hosted by FAO in Bangkok
Championing the reduction of food loss and waste was the main call to action at the Model United Nations (MUN) Conference hosted at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok. Organized by the Meiji University of Japan together with Kasetsart University, the Srinakarinwirot University, and the Panyapiwat Institute of Management, the MUN Conference, held earlier this month, brought together students from Japan and Thailand for an...
World Water Congress: Agriculture holds solutions to global water crisis and food security, FAO says
Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo outlines a series of important water-related initiatives
14.09.2023 Beijing
World Water Congress: Agriculture holds solutions to global water crisis and food security, FAO says
Agriculture can help conserve the world’s stressed water resources and make sure we have enough to eat and drink, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said today. In remarks at the opening of the 18th World Water Congress here, FAO Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo said: “By increasing efficiency, reducing negative impacts and reusing wastewater, agriculture holds the solutions to the global water crisis, as well as the key to achieving global water...
FAO Asia-Pacific Science and Innovation Forum highlights community-led climate actions and need for further investments in science, technology and innovation in agriculture
The Asia-Pacific Regional Science and Innovation Forum held today highlighted the need for investments and the active involvement of young people, women and indigenous communities in building climate-resilient agrifood systems in the region. It spotlighted climate-actions driven by young people and local communities in Asia-Pacific with a focus on climate-smart agriculture, sustainable food production and processing, digital solutions, data-driven decision-making, and community mobilization. The Regional Science and Innovation Forum was convened...
FAO receives funding from Japan to support community-based irrigation for enhanced agricultural production in Afghanistan
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Government of Japan, facilitated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has launched a four–year project with a budget of USD 9.5 million. The project aims to increase the amount of irrigated land, boost local food production and strengthen the food security and livelihood resilience of more than 12 600 poor food insecure men, women and children...
UNFSS+2: Nations discuss successes and challenges to transform agrifood systems
FAO-Director General sends a message of unity to countries and urges concrete actions
25.07.2023 Rome
UNFSS+2: Nations discuss successes and challenges to transform agrifood systems
The second day of the United Nations Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment started with a special plenary session led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) which focused on the successes and challenges that countries, organizations and other stakeholders have experienced towards transforming agrifood systems as set out at the first Summit in 2021. ‘’We need to find opportunities and solutions and take action to move forward. The...