News

PepsiCo has joined fellow beverage corporation the Coca-Cola Company in giving its official support to a set of global guidelines that protect the rights of poor and vulnerable people to land, livelihoods and food security. Initiated by FAO and endorsed by the Committee on World Food Security in 2012, the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure promote secure ownership rights and equitable access to land, fisheries and forests as a means of eradicating hunger and poverty, supporting sustainable development and protecting the environment.The guidelines call for the commitment of both the public and private sectors,...

As populations expand and food requirements continue to rise, the world cannot afford to continue squandering one third of total agricultural production. Coordinated and forceful actions are called for, and in many cases, the private sector will need to take the lead. These were among the conclusions of a round-table session of agriculture ministers from across Europe and Central Asia which took place here today as part of FAO’s biennial Regional Conference for Europe.In a paper prepared for the session, FAO examined food losses and waste in the region, comparing low-, middle- and high-income countries, and looking at...

Jackie Chan, the international Kung Fu superstar has joined FAO in the fight against hunger. The world-famous actor, known for his action-movies, acrobatic fighting style and comic timing in over 150 films, is also Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. Mr Chan has been actively using his celebrity status as a vehicle for humanitarian and public service work. Recently the celebrity visited FAO projects in Ethiopia and held discussions with the beneficiaries, FAO staff and experts on the ground about implementation of the projects, their impact and the need for long-term and sustainable development. While there, Chan told a packed press conference, “I...

  7 March 2014, Rome- Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and current head of the Mary Robinson Foundation - Climate Justice, welcomed “FAO’s approach in promoting new and stronger partnerships to combat global challenges of hunger, food insecurity and climate change” at a meeting with FAO Director-General today. Robinson was the keynote speaker at the International Women’s Day event held at FAO headquarters in Rome. She underlined that problems brought on by gender inequalities and lack of access to resources in agriculture were compounded by the unpredictable consequences of climate change. Graziano da Silva informed Robinson that FAO is...

 FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva and Unilever Chief Executive Officer Paul Polman discussed the importance of supporting smallholder famers at a meeting at FAO headquarters today. “This meeting was an opportunity to discuss global issues that we need to solve, food security being obviously very high in the agenda,” the Unilever chief said. “The fact that almost a billion people go to bed hungry every day is...