This Regional Priority Programme supports Member Nations in strengthening national capacities and enhancing processes for sustainable natural resources management; adapting and mitigating climate change and reducing disaster risks in agriculture, forestry and fisheries; preserving biodiversity through natural capital investment, innovation and public–private partnerships; and reducing the environmental impacts of agrifood systems – including pollution and chemical and plastic wastes – through bioeconomy and socially inclusive and equitable approaches.
The Regional Priority Programme promotes achievement of the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Sustainable Development Goals, especially goals 1, 2, 6, 12, 13 and 15. It also contributes to the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–31 and its four betters.
The Regional Priority Programme offers a regional mechanism to assist countries in accessing climate finance, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), including tools and thematic support to formulate interventions at the nexus of climate change, food security, gender and rural poverty.
The Priority Programme works through three main components:
The Priority Programme leverages four FAO accelerators:
- Technology: The Regional Priority Programme promotes the most appropriate climate technologies, green technology and local knowledge to enhance evidence-based decision-making and help increase the efficiency and climate-resilience of agrifood systems.
- Innovation: The Regional Priority Programme supports countries in envisaging a new paradigm on agriculture, fisheries and forestry, helping them promote production while supporting environmental sustainability. Innovation is key to achieving this goal. This Priority Programme aims to make available science-based evidence and frameworks in collaboration with academic institutions.
- Data: To support the uptake of innovative, climate-smart technologies and policies, it is important that disaggregated data related to climate and environmental impacts be available at the national level. Data collection and dissemination are important for the deliverance of the Priority Programme’s goals across varied subjects, linking to the Hand-in-Hand Priority Programme’s geospatial platform.
- Complements: The Regional Priority Programme contributes to strengthening national and institutional capacities to develop and assess trade-offs and implement and sustain evidence-based policies and strategies for climate action, natural resources management, biodiversity and bioeconomy.
Featured news
FAO, GCF collaborate to strengthen climate partnerships in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
02/04/2024
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) helped organize the GCF Regional Dialogue with Eastern Europe and Central Asia and...
Seeds and fertilizer bring relief to Moldovan farmers
28/02/2024
The Republic of Moldova is at high risk of drought and extreme weather events, two challenges exacerbated by climate change. Family farmers and others...
Celebrating the dry seeds of life
08/02/2024
There is a growing trend to produce and consume sustainable food motivated both by concerns for health and for the world that future generations will...
FAO supports Kyrgyzstan's shift to more sustainable mountain management
01/02/2024
FAO conducts national training on mountain vulnerability assessment in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Assessing the vulnerability of mountain societies...
Successful conclusion of FISHCap project offers promise for new ventures
22/01/2024
In Central Asia, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture represent significant untapped potential, yet enhancing institutional capacity for increased...
Green technologies enable a better future for Moldovan farmers
21/12/2023
A project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with financial support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) on mainstreaming...
Biodiversity framework tops agenda as experts on Europe’s forests and forest industry meet
21/11/2023
A joint session of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) European Forestry Commission and the United Nations Economic Commission...
Experts lay plans for obsolete pesticides in Central Asia, Türkiye during Baku workshop
24/10/2023
It is estimated that around half the obsolete pesticides in the world can be found in the former Soviet Union, with a large portion currently sitting...
Transforming agriculture to combat climate change
20/10/2023
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) works to support countries to move to sustainable agriculture, adapt to climate change...
Agricultural heritage benefits today’s urban agrifood systems
14/07/2023
To raise awareness of the importance of work to strengthen urban agrifood systems in the region of Europe and Central Asia, the Food and Agriculture...
Pesticide registration, integrated pest management advancing in Central Asia, Türkiye
10/07/2023
An FAO project taking place in Türkiye and four Central Asian countries has made enormous strides in reducing the use of dangerous pesticides and promoting...
FAO: biodiversity conservation and resiliency linked
21/06/2023
According to estimates, in Europe and Central Asia, 42 percent of monitored terrestrial animal and plant species have declined in population in the...
Millet – a forgotten grain with major potential
30/05/2023
In 2023, proclaimed as the International...
Biopesticides are a safe and effective tool against locusts in Central Asia
08/05/2023
By definition, pesticides are a poison. These chemicals denigrate and pollute the soil, water, air, plants, and other insects and organisms essential...
Ukraine’s national seed collection relocates to a secure site
02/05/2023
Unique plant genetic resources have been transported over a thousand kilometres from Kharkiv to the west of Ukraine.
In Kyrgyzstan, FAO and partners aim to help restore ecosystems critical to combating climate change
11/04/2023
Whenever we drink water, eat fruit or take a deep breath, we should thank the forests that make it all possible. Forests and trees play a crucial role...
Upgrading traditional techniques boosts production of famous Azerbaijani tomatoes
30/03/2023
Sayad village is one of the most ancient settlements nestled on the Caspian Sea coast of Azerbaijan’s Khachmaz district. It’s long been famous for its...
FAO assists seed system management in four countries of southern Europe and Central Asia
21/03/2023
Seed quality management, seed policy frameworks, and principles and elements for seed quality assurance and certification were the main topics during...
Global Environment Facility pledges support for FAO climate change projects in Türkiye
03/02/2023
FAO, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye, has been granted financial support of about USD 45...
Embedding cross-cutting themes:
- Inclusion of Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, and poor and vulnerable communities
- Regional Technical Platform on Green Agriculture
This Regional Priority Programme also contributes to the promotion of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), supporting the acknowledgment of traditional, highly valuable agricultural systems in the region that are examples of heritage to be preserved. The GIAHS programme recognizes these systems as outstanding landscapes of aesthetic beauty that combine agricultural biodiversity, resilient ecosystems, and valuable cultural heritage. Located in specific sites around the world, these systems sustainably provide multiple goods and services, food, and livelihood security for millions of small-scale farmers.
Events
27/ 6
2023
GEF-funded project “Integrated Natural Resources Management in Degraded Landscapes in the Forest-Steppe Zone of Ukraine” closes
Kyiv (Ukraine), Hybrid Event, 27/06/2023
Invited speakers will present the main achievements of the project, review its challenges, and describe further plans and opportunities. The project was a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Agrarian Policy a...
21/ 6
2023
22/6
2023
Second regional dialogue on biodiversity mainstreaming across agricultural sectors in Europe and Central Asia
Virtual Event, 21/06/2023 - 22/06/2023
The interlinked climate change and biodiversity-related crises top the charts of short-term and long-term risks the world will face over the next decade. The restoration, conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity are critical to addressing global environmental challenges, building our ...
11/ 4
2023
Inception Workshop on Carbon Sequestration through Climate Investment in Forests and Rangelands
Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Hybrid Event, 11/04/2023
On Tuesday 11 April FAO is organizing the launch of the FAO-GCF project “Carbon Sequestration through climate investment in forests and rangelands (CS-FOR) in the Kyrgyz Republic”.
24/ 5
2023
Nature-based solutions related to apiculture and wild pollinators
Qakh (Azerbaijan), Hybrid Event, 24/05/2023
The FAO Subregional Office for Central Asia is organizing a hybrid event “Nature-based solutions related to apiculture and wild pollinators” on 24 May 2023.
27/ 3
2023
Localizing SDGs: Agrifood systems transformation as a key accelerator
Virtual Event, 27/03/2023
2030 is seven years away and we are far from achieving the SDGs. We are at risk of not achieving in full the targets related to agrifood systems by 2030. Climate change, along with other drivers and crises, is already undermining the recent progress made in promoting sustainable rural livelihoods and fighting against all forms of malnutrition. To continue ensuring food security and nutrition...
13/ 3
2023
17/3
2023
Regional Training on Strengthening seed system management in South European and Central Asian countries
Yerevan (Armenia), 13/03/2023 - 17/03/2023
In the framework of the regional programme on seed system and the project titled “Creating enabling environments for enhanced climate resilience in agriculture”, FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia is organizing a regional training between 13-17 March 2023 Yerevan, Armenia, to strengthen seed system management in South European and Central Asia c...
14/ 12
2022
Green Agriculture and Science and Innovation: Main scientific findings in Europe and Central Asia
Virtual Event, 14/12/2022
Agrifood systems in Europe and Central Asia are deeply affected by geopolitical and economic uncertainties which impact both directly and indirectly on food supply chains, and have repercussions in food markets; moreover, they are threatened by environmental, human-driven long-term stresses, such as climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss and natural resource degradation.
5/ 12
2022
6/12
2022
Regional Webinar Series on Soil Protection as part of World Soil Day 2022
Hybrid Event, 05/12/2022 - 06/12/2022
Let’s celebrate World Soil Day 2022! As soils provide most of our food and are central to our planet’s life-support system. Without healthy soils, we cannot sustain healthy lives.
30/ 9
2021
Regional workshop for Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems in Azerbaijan
Hybrid Event, 30/09/2021
In the frame of the European Union-funded project on the development of sustainable and inclusive local agrifood systems in north-west region of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Azerbaijan embarked on identifying potential agricultural heritage systems in its north-west region.
16/ 11
2021
17/11
2021
Regional dialogue on biodiversity mainstreaming across agricultural sectors in Europe and Central Asia
Hybrid Event, 16/11/2021 - 17/11/2021
11:00 – 13:00 (CET) FAO supports member countries in mainstreaming biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in the agriculture sector. Following the first global multi-stakeholder dialogue, and in line with its mandate to coordinate a collective effort, FAO convenes the first regional dialogue on biodiversity mainstreaming for Europe and Central Asia.
22/ 2
2022
FAO’s 2nd Regional Workshop: The Road Ahead after COP26: Enhancing Targets and Compliance with Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) for Agriculture and LULUCF
Hybrid Event, 22/02/2022
10.00-13.00 (CET) The FAO Regional Workshop, “The Road Ahead after COP26: Enhancing Targets and Compliance with Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) for Agriculture and LULUCF” aims to support the developing states and emerging economies of the Europe a...
See also:
Policy analysis of nationally determined contributions in Europe and Central Asia
Strategy for FAO’s work on climate change
Scaling up Agroecology Initiative
Building a common vision for sustainable food and agriculture
Strategic work of FAO for sustainable food and agriculture
Publication: Nature-based solutions
Contact
Tania Santivanez
Agricultural officer
20 Kalman Imre utca
H-1054 Budapest
Hungary
Tel: +36 1 8141 240
Sustainable Development Goals
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