News and Press Releases
Publication: Post-harvest losses along value and supply chains in the Pacific Island Countries
10.06.2015 Samoa
Reducing post-harvest food (PHL) losses remains a critical component to ensure future global food security. But how much food is lost? According to FAO estimates, annual food losses are around 1.3 billion tonnes globally. The concept of food losses is defined differently, in developed countries food losses arise at the consumer stage with food which is processed and ready to eat while in developing countries food losses occur at the...
Agriculture in the Pacific Island Countries is largely dependent on smallholder family farms that often have access to less than two hectares of land. Labour for these farms often depend on household members.
The challenges of poor economic geography, including small market size and large distances between local and export markets, costly marketing infrastructure, and lack of domestic value-adding opportunities have reduced the competiveness of these farmers.
In spite of these challenges,...
Singapore and FAO to collaborate on food safety, illegal fishing
Parties sign first agreement since country joined FAO in 2013
09.06.2015 Rome, Italy
Singapore and FAO will work together to improve food and nutrition security in Southeast Asia, with a special focus on food safety and fisheries, according to a new agreement signed today - the first since the city-state joined the Organization in 2013. Improving the health and safety of food, including street foods, and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing are key areas in a larger collaboration that will...
Thailand receives FAO Edouard Saouma Award for its international recognition in containing spread of Cassava Pink Mealybug in Greater Mekong Subregion
09.06.2015 Rome/Bangkok
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today announced the winner of its biennial Edouard Saouma Award.
The award will be conferred to Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) for its effective and efficient implementation of an FAO funded Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) to reverse the damages caused to sub-regional cassava crops by a pest – the pink mealybug.
The Edouard Saouma Award recognizes Thailand’s critical role –...
FAO bestows B.R. Sen Award to two of its most outstanding experts in Asia in recognition of their tireless efforts on food security policy and nutrition work in Bangladesh
09.06.2015 Rome, Italy
FAO’s work with the Government of Bangladesh to improve food security and nutrition policy and practices has resulted in two FAO specialists receiving the Organization’s highest achievement awards in back-to-back years, FAO announced today.
Lalita Bhattacharjee, an FAO nutrition specialist working toward improvements in nutrition policy and practices in Bangladesh, has won the 2014 FAO B.R. Sen Award, while Ciro Fiorillo, an FAO manager and agricultural and development economist, has received...
FAO and Fiji boost joint efforts to promote food and nutrition security and to respond to climate change
Agreement signed today upgrades the FAO Representation in the country
08.06.2015 Rome, Italy
An agreement signed today between the Government of Fiji and FAO upgrades the Organization’s Representation in the Republic of Fiji and will serve to strengthen joint efforts to enhance food security and to tackle climate change.
“This agreement means a lot to Fiji,” said Fiji’s Prime Minister, Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama. “We are very excited about the FAO move, not only to the region, but to Fiji in particular.”
“I believe that...
Five more Asia-Pacific countries receive FAO awards for meeting and exceeding MDG hunger targets
08.06.2015 Bangkok, Thailand
Five countries from Asia and the Pacific have received awards for their achievements in the fight against hunger, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization announced today.
The five – China, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Nepal and Solomon Islands – were among 15 countries worldwide to receive special diplomas from the FAO Director-General, José Graziano da Silva, at a special awards ceremony during the biennial FAO Conference in Rome, Italy.
The awards...
China signs $50 million South-South Cooperation agreement with FAO
Focus on knowledge exchanges for sustainable agriculture, value chains
08.06.2015 Rome, Italy
China and FAO today signed a $50 million agreement to support developing countries in building sustainable food systems and inclusive agricultural value chains, recognizing the growing importance of collaboration between Southern countries in the fight against extreme hunger and poverty.
China's new contribution to the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Trust Fund will support the exchange of Chinese agricultural experts with countries in the global South, particularly in low-income food-deficit areas of Asia...
FAO and Fiji boost joint efforts to promote food and nutrition security and to respond to climate change
Agreement signed today upgrades the FAO Representation in the country
08.06.2015 Rome
6 June 2015, Rome - An agreement signed today between the Government of Fiji and FAO upgrades the Organization’s Representation in the Republic of Fiji and will serve to strengthen joint efforts to enhance food security and to tackle climate change.
“This agreement means a lot to Fiji,” said Fiji’s Prime Minister, Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama. “We are very excited about the FAO move, not only to the region, but to...
FAO pays tribute to Her Royal Highness, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand for lifetime promotion of child nutrition and food security
03.06.2015 Bangkok, Thailand
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today conveyed its special gratitude to Her Royal Highness, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, for more than three decades of work to promote child nutrition and her personal advocacy to achieve a food secure world.
The tribute was made in the form of a presentation to The Royal Society of Thailand by FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia...