FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

News and Press Releases

Global Environment Facility approves FAO-led projects in Malaysia, Marshall Islands and Thailand
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today welcomed approval from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for four FAO-led projects in eight countries, totalling more than $13.6 million in funding.  The decision was made during the 61st Meeting of the GEF Council, its main governing body, held virtually. The latest projects will address urgent environmental challenges - such as land degradation and soil erosion, biodiversity loss, unsustainable fishing, and food...
FAO in Asia-Pacific calls for improvements to early warning systems as concerns grow over evolving avian influenza and potential threat to humans
Cases of avian influenza are rising globally, with 272 additional events of outbreaks in birds recorded worldwide by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in little more than a month. The FAO data records the increase since 27 October 2021. Increased avian influenza activity has been seen in the Asia-Pacific region, but also in Africa and Europe during the past year and it is suspected that wild...
FAO promotes awareness and prudent use of antimicrobials in Asia-Pacific during Word Antimicrobial Awareness Week
The FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific has supported several activities to raise awareness on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and on the need to use antimicrobials prudently among different audiences of Asia and the Pacific to mark World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW). The WAAW, observed in some 150 countries every 18-24 November, highlights the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance, or AMR, and is one of the United Nations’ most important...
FAO in 2022: Time for extraordinary efforts to continue walking the talk
Director-General QU Dongyu maps the Organization’s achievements and plans in address to the FAO Council
30.11.2021 Rome
FAO in 2022: Time for extraordinary efforts to continue walking the talk
Rome – In 2022, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) must make “extraordinary” efforts to achieve tangible on-the-ground progress towards reducing hunger, making agrifood systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable, and to ultimately achieve the Four Betters – Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life for all – Director-General QU Dongyu told the FAO Council today. “We need extraordinary thinking, ways of doing...
Fall Armyworm: Scaling up response across the globe
FAO calls for more funding, more technical innovation and more capacity development for farmers
25.11.2021 Rome
Fall Armyworm: Scaling up response across the globe
The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, today urged all stakeholders to scale up global response to fall armyworm, as the invasive pest continues to spread rapidly to new countries and territories, causing serious damage to food production and affecting millions of farmers across the globe. He spoke at the 5th Steering Committee Meeting on Global Action for Fall Armyworm Control. In 2016,...
World Fisheries Day 2021 hears calls to halt exploitation of fishers
FAO joins the Vatican and Stella Maris advocating for fishers’ rights and responsible practices
23.11.2021 Rome
World Fisheries Day 2021 hears calls to halt exploitation of fishers
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Vatican and the Catholic maritime charity, Stella Maris, today marked World Fisheries Day urging immediate action to stop human rights violations at sea. At a virtual event entitled ‘Stemming the tide: Together we can stop human rights violations at sea!’, FAO and the Holy See reaffirmed their commitment to protect the rights of fishers who are among the world’s poorest...
Afghanistan - to avert a catastrophe, agricultural assistance is urgently needed
Farmers and herders are vital if the country is to climb out of a hunger trap, says FAO
19.11.2021 Kabul/Rome
Afghanistan - to avert a catastrophe, agricultural assistance is urgently needed
As the Afghan people confront widespread drought, the collapse of rural livelihoods and widespread economic upheaval, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is providing critical life-saving assistance to farmers and herders, while urging far greater and immediate support for agricultural production. In Afghanistan today at least 18.8 million people are facing acute food insecurity - meaning they are unable to feed themselves on a daily basis - and that...
G20: Actions now to feed the world and save the planet, urges FAO
FAO Director-General addresses world leaders at G20 summit
01.11.2021 Rome
G20: Actions now to feed the world and save the planet, urges FAO
Policy makers must find a way to “feed the world and save the planet at the same time,” QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), said at the G20 Leaders Summit in Rome on Sunday. “Climate change will compromise our ability to produce sufficient amounts of nutritious foods and increase poverty and deepen inequalities,” Qu warned, on the eve of COP climate conference in Glasgow. Qu spoke...
ASEAN-Australia-FAO strengthening regional coordination to avert pandemics of animal origin
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the need for better coordination to address and minimise negative impacts of emerging infectious diseases. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is taking a step forward to ensure greater preparedness and resilience through stronger regional cooperation among its Member States and partners. Pandemic lessons result to technical assistance project With funding from the Australian Government, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)is helping...
Moving together towards improving the health and wellbeing of the citizens: The third Asia-Pacific Urban Forestry Meeting (APUFM)
Thethird ‘’Asia-Pacific Urban Forestry Meeting (APUFM)’’ kicked off virtually and will last until 29 October 2021. The event is organized by FAO with the support of UNEP, UN-Habitat, IUCN, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Over 450 technical experts, scientists, practitioners, policy makers, NGOs, international organizations and other stakeholders have registered for the event. The participants will share experiences and innovations in urban forestry and identify concrete actions and collaboration opportunities...