News archive 2017

Global food commodity prices will remain low over the next decade compared to previous peaks, as demand growth in a number of emerging economies is expected to slow down and biofuel policies have a diminished impact on markets, the latest 10-year agricultural outlook published today by the OECD and FAO says.

The Conference formally approved a regular budget of $1,005.6 million for delivery of FAO's programme of work over the period 2018-2019 as proposed by FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva.

Climate change poses a major risk for rural people in developing countries, often leading to distress-driven migration, and bolstering sustainable agriculture is an essential part of an effective policy response, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said at an event with IOM Director-General William Swing.

The Director-General was speaking at a side-event at the FAO Conference that took stock of the achievements of FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme and looked at ways to involve more countries and international organizations in similar partnerships.

The FAO Food Price Index, a monthly trade-weighted index tracking international market prices of five major food commodity groups released today, averaged 175.2 points in June, up 1.4 percent from May and 7.0 percent from a year earlier

Preventing famine in northeastern Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen urgently requires intensified humanitarian support and further funding. That was the message of an event hosted by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme on the sidelines of FAO’s Conference.

Parliamentarians have a key role to play along with governments, civil society, private sector, international agencies and donors “to achieve a Zero Hunger generation in our lifetime”, said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva today at a meeting with lawmakers on the sidelines of the FAO Conference.

Canadian support allows the United Nations’ food and agriculture agencies to embark on an unprecedented joint programme to work with vulnerable communities in three crisis-prone areas over five years to meet their immediate food needs and boost their resilience, while addressing the root causes of food insecurity.

In a ceremony held today during FAO's governing Conference, ten organizations and individuals received awards - and thanks - from the agency's Director-General, Jose Graziano da Silva.

Rural women and girls are key agents of change to free the world from hunger and extreme poverty, said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva today at a special side-event on gender equality and women’s empowerment on the sidelines of the FAO's Conference.