This Regional Priority Programme, implemented since 2016, consists of three main interrelated components.
While international trade policy is usually implemented at the border, adherence to food safety, quality standards, and controls for animal and plant diseases requires the support of national systems for disease prevention and control to facilitate the safe transfer and movement of food and agricultural commodities across borders. This means that a supportive policy environment for agrifood trade encompasses not only border policies, but also policies and institutions at national and enterprise levels. Effective markets and efficient, sustainable value chains will help all actors in the production chain play their part in a cohesive food system.
Featured news
Proven solutions, practical approaches help advance sustainable food and agriculture in Europe and Central Asia
21/05/2026
Partnership, sustainability, digital innovations, investment and empowering women farmers – these were the core topics of several side and special events...
Uzbekistan promotes sustainable sweet cherry value chain through South-South Cooperation
20/05/2026
The Government of Uzbekistan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are scaling up efforts to strengthen the sweet cherry...
Matching grants boost productivity and food safety for over 1 100 women farmers in Georgia
08/05/2026
Georgian women dairy farmers are modernizing traditional milk production with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization...
Private sector representatives gather in Izmir to shape the future of agriculture in the region
08/05/2026
Organized jointly by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Izmir Commodity Exchange (ICE), the FAO Private Sector Dialogue:...
Where cattle graze and milk becomes tradition
07/05/2026
From spring through autumn, while Nino Nugzarashvili’s husband guides their cattle across Kaspi’s communal rangelands in Georgia, she transforms the...
FAO and Armenia roll out joint plan for agrifood systems transformation for 2026–2030
30/04/2026
On 30 Aprils, Gevorg Papoyan, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, and Raimund Jehle, Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization...
Inside the food value chain: Where food is lost – and how it can be saved
16/04/2026
Food loss and waste rarely announce themselves. They accumulate, quietly, across decisions: when to harvest, how to store, what to discard, what...
Fix the roof while the sun is shining: Strengthening peste des petits ruminants preparedness in the region
08/04/2026
A highly contagious transboundary disease affecting sheep and goats, PPR poses serious risks to food security, trade, and rural livelihoods. Building...
Georgia celebrates International Day of Zero Waste with food loss forum
30/03/2026
Marking the International Day of Zero Waste, state authorities, associations, charity organizations and private-sector representatives convened in Tbilisi...
FAO report: Agriculture remains a lifeline for rural families in war-affected Ukraine
16/03/2026
Agriculture continues to play a critical role in protecting Ukrainian communities from food insecurity,...
Turkish delegation participates in study visit to Spain on flexibility in food safety legislation
17/03/2026
A delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye visited Spain from 9 to 13 February 2026 to learn about implementing flexibility...
Republic of Moldova attracts partners to advance investment into its food and agriculture sectors
06/03/2026
Ministers – including the Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu –, senior officials and private investors from across the European Union gathered in Chișinău...
FAO offers free multilingual course to improve biosecurity on ruminant farms
03/02/2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a new free virtual course to help ruminant farmers improve biosecurity...
Joint UN programme in Armenia to unlock sustainable finance for climate-smart and nutrition-sensitive food systems
02/02/2026
Under the leadership of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Armenia, Françoise Jacob, and with support from the UN Joint SDG Fund, the Government...
FAO promotes sustainable agriculture in Belarus through geographical indications
30/01/2026
Agriculture is a foundational pillar of the economy of Belarus, shaping food security, nutrition and rural well-being. Belarusian agrifood system products...
FAO Farmer Field Schools train Albanian olive growers
26/01/2026
Olive growers in the Municipality of Belsh, Albania, are strengthening their skills and practices through the expansion of the Food and Agriculture...
Events
20/5
2026
22/5
2026
Regional Technical Workshop on development of FSBDGs for healthy diets in Central Asia
Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), 20/05/2026 - 22/05/2026
The Regional technical workshop on the development of food systems-based dietary guidelines (FSBDGs) for healthy diets in Central Asia will bring together technical experts, policymakers, and national stakeholders to review progress and strengthen regional collaboration on nutrition and food systems. The workshop will present the preliminary results of applying the FAO methodology for FSBDG dev...
22/4
2026
Consultation with the private sector (EU) to the Regional Conference for Europe 2026
Brussels (Belgium), 22/04/2026
Ahead of the 35th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe (ERC35), to be held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, from 11 to 15 May 2026, FAO is convening a dialogue with EU-based private sector representatives in Brussels. Organized by the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia and the FAO Liaison Office in Brussels, in collaboration with the European Dairy Association (EDA), the co...
29/4
2026
Consultation with the private sector (non-EU) to the Regional Conference for Europe 2026
İzmir (Türkiye), Hybrid Event, 29/04/2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with, and hosted by the Izmir Commodity Exchange, is organizing a private sector consultation in Izmir, Türkiye, on 29 April 2026, in preparation for the 35th Session of the
Contact
Mary Kenny
Food safety and consumer protection officer
20 Kalman Imre utca
H-1054 Budapest
Hungary
Tel: +36 1 8141-251
Previous initiatives
See also
Sustainable Development Goals
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