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FAO Liaison Office in Geneva

Agriculture and Fisheries Trade

Agriculture and Fisheries Trade

Trade and trade policy can have significant implications for food security, nutrition and employment. Trade plays an important role in providing sufficient, diverse and nutritious food. It also generates income and employment for farmers, workers and traders in the entire agricultural and food industry across countries.

In addressing multiple and interconnected challenges of our times, including high and volatile prices of food, agricultural inputs and energy and increasing number of uncertainties caused by climate variability, pests and diseases, and economic shocks, the role of trade, which is an integral part of our agrifood systems, cannot be underestimated. Indeed, the 2030 Agenda recognizes the key role of trade in addressing food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture.

What FAO does

FAO reviews agricultural trade global issues, provides analytical and policy relevant information, maintains a comprehensive market intelligence service of the main agricultural commodities, and houses the Secretariat of the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS).

FAO supports its Members by (i) providing evidence and strengthening capacities in both trade and market-related policies and inclusive agricultural systems;  (ii) assisting them to implement trade agreements and to prepare for trade negotiations; (iii) providing support through evidence-building on emerging issues and (iv) providing technical assistance in response to demands relating to food safety and trade facilitation, trade digitalization, and innovation, among others; (v) promotes sustainable production and trade by facilitating multi-stakeholder partnerships in agricultural value chains.

The Role of FAO in Geneva

The role of FAO in Geneva (LOG) is to facilitate the FAO’s work on trade and agrifood systems with partners in Geneva in a multi-disciplinary and collaborative approach. FAO LOG promotes FAO’s analytical work to support Permanent Missions in Geneva by strengthening evidence on the implications of changes in trade policies, providing capacity development in the use of this evidence, and facilitating neutral dialogue. These efforts assist the Permanent Missions’ effective engagement in the discussions and in the formulation of trade policies that are conducive to improved food security. With the continued engagement with relevant international organizations, civil society and academia, FAO LOG ensures visibility and availability of technical expertise in the area of trade, agriculture, fisheries, food security and agrifood systems.

FAO LOG closely works with the Markets and Trade Division (EST) and Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) in Rome.

Through the Agriculture Trade Talks Dialogue Series, FAO supports Members’ efforts to formulate trade policies that are conducive to improved food security by strengthening evidence and analysis, providing capacity development, and facilitating a neutral dialogue away from the negotiating table.

Here is a list of the Agriculture Trade Talks so far, in reverse Chronological order:

The FAO in Geneva Fisheries Trade Talks, organized in close collaboration with FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, provides an opportunity to examine the most recent trends in fisheries and aquaculture markets and the challenges associated with sustainability. The Fisheries Trade Talks inform on the existing and emerging FAO knowledge and tools for transforming aquatic food systems and promoting their responsible and sustainable utilization and management while highlighting the interconnectedness of international instruments and the potential support FAO can provide for specific trade-related fish themes.

Here is a list of the Fisheries Trade Talks so far, in reverse chronological order: