Regional focus
Bioeconomy looks different in every region, shaped by local ecosystems, economies and priorities. FAO partners with governments, research institutions and regional bodies around the world to help translate biological resources into sustainable agrifood systems, resilient livelihoods and climate solutions.
Select a region below to explore FAO's work and bioeconomy developments.
Africa holds vast biological resources and significant untapped bioeconomy potential, particularly across non-wood forest products, sustainable agriculture, energy, construction, manufacturing, and waste upcycling. Over a dozen African countries are currently developing bioeconomy strategies. South Africa leads with a dedicated national strategy, while Namibia introduced its own in May 2024. Ghana, Kenya, Namibia and Ethiopia are making progress through efforts such as plantation forestry, agroforestry, large-scale reforestation campaigns and value addition to natural resources.
At the regional level, the East African Community (EAC) is Africa's first regional economic community (REC) to develop a regional bioeconomy strategy - one of only three globally, alongside the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and the Nordic Bioeconomy Programme.
FAO supports African countries through knowledge products, capacity development and country-level engagement, including on blue bioeconomy, forest-based bioeconomy and urban circular bioeconomy solutions. Regional initiatives such as AFR100, the Great Green Wall Initiative, and the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (AFWC) provide a framework for scaling up bioeconomy across the continent.
KEY PUBLICATIONS
From biodiversity to bioeconomy: leveraging natural capital for sustainable agrifood systems — ARC/26/9
Sustainable forest-based bioeconomy approaches — AFWC/2025/5
Building a sustainable bioeconomy in Africa through forest products — Trends, opportunities and challenges
The Asia and Pacific region, uniquely positioned due to the availability of biomass combined with technological readiness, holds immense potential for bioeconomy development, from biotechnology to circular approaches in aquaculture and forest-based value chains.
China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Republic of Korea and Thailand already have national bioeconomy-dedicated strategies in place.
FAO's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific has been supporting Members in developing their bioeconomy. In addition, the Office convened the Bioeconomy Innovations and Investment Forum in 2025, supporting regional collaboration for bioeconomy. Finally, FAO's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific supported the recently adopted Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Resolution “Supporting the Transition towards a Sustainable Bioeconomy in Countries in Asia and the Pacific”.
RELATED BLOGS AND STORIES
Achieving a better environment in Asia-Pacific by developing a sustainable and circular bioeconomy
From Waste to Wealth: How Asia’s Wholesale Markets Are Turning Food Loss into Climate Solutions
Europe has the most developed bioeconomy policy landscape globally. Austria, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Spain are among the countries with dedicated national strategies. The EU published the third edition of its Bioeconomy Strategy in November 2025, with a stronger focus on international cooperation.
Central Asia is increasingly engaging with bioeconomy, particularly on bioenergy, bioremediation, bioinputs and biological sciences research and innovation.
FAO supports Members through technical guidance, policy dialogue and regional knowledge exchange to accelerate uptake across agrifood systems.
KEY PUBLICATIONS
- Case studies promoting bioeconomy through agricultural practices in Europe and Central Asia
- Promoting bioeconomy through agriculture practice in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
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Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, with major bioeconomy potential across agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquatic ecosystems. Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica and Uruguay have adopted national bioeconomy strategies, while Ecuador, Mexico and Paraguay are developing theirs. The Amazon region is emerging as a focal point for regional bioeconomy investment and governance, including through the Amazonia+ 2026 Initiative.
FAO collaborates with regional partners to support countries in developing coherent bioeconomy policies, action plans and monitoring frameworks; integrating bioeconomy into national biodiversity, climate and agrifood policy plans; developing innovative investment opportunities within the Hand-in-Hand Initiative; and deploying bioeconomy innovations on the ground.
KEY PUBLICATIONS
Latin American and Caribbean Forestry Commission — LACFC/2025/7
Bioeconomy is an emerging agenda in the Near East and North Africa, where countries face challenges around water and resource scarcity, land degradation and agrifood systems resilience. The region is home to valuable non-wood forest products with strong bioeconomy potential (including argan, honey, date palm, carob, and medicinal and aromatic plants) which support rural livelihoods, particularly for women, and offer opportunities for innovative bio-based product development in food, cosmetics and natural ingredients.
Countries such as Egypt, Morocco and Lebanon are advancing bioeconomy-relevant strategies and policies, while Gulf countries are showing growing activity in sustainability and resource efficiency.
FAO is working to identify bioeconomy entry points suited to the region through capacity building, partnerships and knowledge products on food loss and waste valorization, agricultural residues and bio-based product development within inclusive value chains.
KEY PUBLICATIONS
RELATED BLOGS AND STORIES
Advancing the bioeconomy in the Near East and North Africa: A path to sustainability and innovation
Empowering women for climate resilience: financing the future of sustainability
IYWF: In Oman, women are turning camel milk into opportunity
RELATED SUCCESS STORIES