News and Press Releases
Making every drop count: Rethinking irrigation for global food security
06.11.2016 Chiang Mai, Thailand
Adapting agriculture to a changing climate and world will mean developing and implementing new approaches to irrigation policies and practices the world over, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warned today.
These new approaches were discussed at the beginning of the 2nd World Irrigation Forum underway today in Chiang Mai, Thailand. With continuing population and economic growth, combined with the threat of climate change adversely affecting freshwater...
Join the antimicrobial resistance pledge
31.10.2016 Bangkok, Thailand
In preparation for the World Antibiotic Awareness Week the general public is encouraged to participate in a social media campaign to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR is a global emerging threat to humans and animals, which results from the misuse and abuse of antimicrobials such as antibiotics. This year’s antibiotics awareness week is observed from 14 to 20 November.
The UN General Assembly considers AMR an important health...
FAO and partners help Asia’s family farmers access global markets through the Geographical Indications initiative
28.10.2016 Vientiane, Lao PDR
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in conjunction with the Ministry of Science and Technology ofLao PDR, the French Development Agency (AFD) and the French Embassy in Vientiane has launched a regional symposium promoting the Geographical Indications (GI) initiative which aims to help smallholder farmers reach a much broader market.
The GI is an intellectual property right of a product and is specific to its geographical location....
Thai Princess agrees to represent UN FAO as Special Ambassador for Zero Hunger
17.10.2016 Bangkok, Thailand
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today announced that Her Royal Highness, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, has graciously agreed to represent the Organization as an FAO Special Ambassador for Zero Hunger.
The announcement was made during a special presentation to the Princess at a ceremony to mark the 36th World Food Day at FAO’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in the Thai capital,...
On World Food Day, Asia and the Pacific prepare agriculture for climate change
Model Farmers from five countries receive FAO awards for innovation in agriculture
17.10.2016 Bangkok, Thailand
In the Asia-Pacific region, increasingly prone to climate related disasters, droughts and floods, adapting agriculture to climate change requires immediate action, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization announced today.
“We can see that climate change is happening, and we know that our food and agriculture systems must change too,” said Kundhavi Kadiresan, Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific. “Hunger, poverty and climate change need to be...
Reducing the spread of Zoonotic diseases in Fiji
16.10.2016 Suva, Fiji
The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) in conjunction with Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry (MFF) and FAO is working on implementing a joint project funded through the Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation supported by the Government of Belgium.
This project aims to minimise the spread of zoonotic diseases such as Leptospirosis, Brucellosis and Bovine Tuberculosis among livestock farmers and households in Fiji. Under the FAO project,...
Belgium Ambassador sees lasting impact of assistance in Vanuatu
16.10.2016 Port Vila, Vanuatu
His Excellency Mr Jean-Luc Bodson, Ambassador of Belgium has personally seen the lasting impact of Belgium assistance for people rebuilding their lives after Tropical Cyclone Pam which struck Vanuatu on March 13 2015.
Part of the USD 285 000 Belgium-funded project was the establishmesnt of urban gardens in Port Vila, with thousands of seed and seedling distributions across Vanuatu to meet the needs of those affected by the cyclone. FAO distributed...
New FAO representative arrives in the Pacific
16.10.2016 Apia, Samoa
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Subregional Office is pleased to welcome Eriko Hibi to Samoa as the Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands.
Ms Hibi joins the Subregional Office following three and a half years as FAO Representative in Syria. Ms Hibi arrived on 28 August from Damascus, Syria, where she managed FAO's humanitarian and resilience programme as FAO Representative since March, 2013.
“I’m honoured for the...
Fijian farmer receives FAO award for leadership
16.10.2016 Labasa, Fiji
Alfred John Sayaham, a farmer from Labasa, Fiji, was nominated for an FAO award in recognition of his commitment to practicing Sustainable Land Management (SLM) technologies. He supports and shares knowledge of building resilience to climate change to other communities within the peripheral, and to ensure the adoption of SLM to all land users in Siberia, Labasa.
Sayaham received a “Model Farmer” award along with others from Mongolia, Pakistan, Thailand and...
World Food Day 2016: Announcement of UN FAO Special Ambassador for Zero Hunger
MEDIA ADVISORY | PRESS/PHOTO CALL
11.10.2016 Bangkok, Thailand
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will convene the Asia-Pacific regional observance of World Food Day on Monday, 17 October 2016 at its regional office, 39 Phra Atit Road 10200 Bangkok.
This year’s event will be very high-profile and include the in-person presentation and announcement of the new United Nations’ FAO Special Ambassador for Zero Hunger. Registration begins at 8 am with all media in position by...