In focus

Keeping our land and water healthy

See how FAO promotes the sustainable management of these precious resources

Highlights
Director-General
In Focus
FAO response to global food security challenges

Data analyses, policy recommendations, and actions on the ground.

Eastern Africa drought: FAO welcomes a €25 million contribution from Germany

Improving access to food and boost rural livelihoods in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and the Sudan.

UN 2023 Water Conference: FAO calls for responsive and innovative drought financing mechanisms

Director-General says hunger can only be defeated if “we get ahead of the curve on droughts”.

Landscape from the interactive State of Food and Agriculture 2020 report showing a freshwater river flowing through a city.
Interactive story
Our very existence depends on water

Freshwater is becoming increasingly scarce. Let’s look at how we can overcome water challenges in agriculture.

Event
Water is essential for human health

Find out about FAO’s involvement in the UN 2023 Water Conference.

Story
Navigating water tenure in Senegal

Levelling the playing field on access to a vital resource.

Director-General
UN 2023 Water Conference: FAO calls for responsive and innovative drought financing mechanisms

Director-General says hunger can only be defeated if “we get ahead of the curve on droughts”.

Voices of Impact

17/03/2023

Watch the video to see how forest and landscape restoration is helping to achieve a better environment in the Philippines.

Video
21/03/2023

Water is vital to us all. Every drop counts and our actions, big or small, can make a difference.

Podcast
20/10/2022

In Venezuela, the vast tropical forest of Imataca Reserve is home to thousands of species. Decades of illegal logging and mining, however, have led to deforestation and loss of wildlife. The Karina Indigenous People living in the forest are working hard to change this.

Data

Forest area as a proportion of total land area (percent) (2000, 2010 and 2020)
2000
2010
2020

Note: this annual update of Indicator 15.1.1 uses the latest data from the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020, which is based on the best country data and information currently available (FAO, 2022).

SOURCE: FAO. 2022. Indicators. In: Sustainable Development Goals. Rome. Cited 24 June 2022. www.fao.org/sustainable-development-goals/indicators/en

2020 World

31.2%

2010 World

31.5%

FAO and the SDGs

FAO supports governments and partners to design the right policies and programmes to end hunger, promote food security and promote sustainable agriculture for millions of people around the world.

Hover the mouse over an SDG icon for more information

A world free from hunger and malnutrition where food and agriculture contributes to improving the living standards of all

sdg photo

FAO works with governments and partners to empower some of the world’s most marginalized people to end rural poverty.

sdg photo

FAO helps ensure food security by developing ways of growing food that will work in the future so that millions of people don’t go hungry.

sdg photo

Good health starts with nutrition. FAO sets global standards and works with governments and the private sector to ensure food quality and safety throughout the food chain.

sdg photo

FAO invests in educational systems for rural communities and supports improved access to primary education and school meals in order to create equal opportunities for all and chances of lifelong learning.

sdg photo

FAO supports gender equality in the agricultural sector in an effort to raise levels of nutrition in local communities and improve agricultural productivity.

sdg photo

FAO works with governments to ensure water use in agriculture is made more efficient, equitable and environmentally friendly.

sdg photo

FAO promotes the use of renewable energies and works to ensure access to modern energy services across the food chain.

sdg photo

FAO seeks better economic opportunities for all by investing in sustainable agricultural practices and food systems that reduce inequalities and create decent jobs.

sdg photo

FAO seeks to secure a future for rural communities via investments in transportation, irrigation, food storage facilities and communication technologies.

sdg photo

FAO works with countries and partners to generate employment in rural areas, ensure access to natural resources for the most vulnerable and connect farmers to markets.

sdg photo

FAO works to improve urban healthcare, water quality and rethink city region food systems to help deter the negative effects of sprawling urbanisation.

sdg photo

FAO coordinates major global initiatives and projects to tackle food waste and loss, partnering with international organisations, the private sector and civil society.

sdg photo

FAO supports countries in responding to the threats of climate change by providing advice, data and tools for better agricultural policies and practices.

sdg photo

FAO, in partnership with governments and fishing communities, implements best practices in fisheries to ensure our oceans are protected as a means of livelihoods.

sdg photo

FAO promotes sustainable approaches to natural resource management and supports endeavours that promote a balance between conservation and development initiatives.

sdg photo

FAO plays a critical role in peacebuilding, restoring rural livelihoods, building resilience and participatory approaches to policymaking.

sdg photo

FAO acts as a neutral policymaking forum and develops partnerships with all concerned with food and agriculture to ensure a world free from hunger.

sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO supports governments and partners to design the right policies and programmes to end hunger, promote food security and promote sustainable agriculture for millions of people around the world.

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO works with governments and partners to empower some of the world’s most marginalized people to end rural poverty.

Tap for more
sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO helps ensure food security by developing ways of growing food that will work in the future so that millions of people don’t go hungry.

Tap for more
sdg photo
sdg photo

Good health starts with nutrition. FAO sets global standards and works with governments and the private sector to ensure food quality and safety throughout the food chain.

Tap for more
sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO invests in educational systems for rural communities and supports improved access to primary education and school meals in order to create equal opportunities for all and chances of lifelong learning.

Tap for more
sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO supports gender equality in the agricultural sector in an effort to raise levels of nutrition in local communities and improve agricultural productivity.

Tap for more
sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO works with governments to ensure water use in agriculture is made more efficient, equitable and environmentally friendly.

Tap for more
sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO promotes the use of renewable energies and works to ensure access to modern energy services across the food chain.

Tap for more
sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO seeks better economic opportunities for all by investing in sustainable agricultural practices and food systems that reduce inequalities and create decent jobs.

Tap for more
sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO seeks to secure a future for rural communities via investments in transportation, irrigation, food storage facilities and communication technologies.

Tap for more
sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO works with countries and partners to generate employment in rural areas, ensure access to natural resources for the most vulnerable and connect farmers to markets.

Tap for more
sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO works to improve urban healthcare, water quality and rethink city region food systems to help deter the negative effects of sprawling urbanisation.

Tap for more
sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO coordinates major global initiatives and projects to tackle food waste and loss, partnering with international organisations, the private sector and civil society.

Tap for more
sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO supports countries in responding to the threats of climate change by providing advice, data and tools for better agricultural policies and practices.

Tap for more
sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO, in partnership with governments and fishing communities, implements best practices in fisheries to ensure our oceans are protected as a means of livelihoods.

Tap for more
sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO promotes sustainable approaches to natural resource management and supports endeavours that promote a balance between conservation and development initiatives.

Tap for more

sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO plays a critical role in peacebuilding, restoring rural livelihoods, building resilience and participatory approaches to policymaking.

Tap for more
sdg photo
sdg photo

FAO acts as a neutral policymaking forum and develops partnerships with all concerned with food and agriculture to ensure a world free from hunger.

Tap for more

In depth

In Focus
Annual funding overview

Thanks to continued trust and growing financial support from our Resource Partners, FAO is working to create a world without hunger or poverty.

In Focus
Hand in Hand Initiative

Discover an evidence-based, country-led and country-owned initiative to accelerate agricultural transformation and sustainable rural development. 

In Focus
FAO Data Lab

The FAO Data Lab for Statistical Innovation modernizes the statistical business process, with a specific focus on emergency contexts, when having access to timely information is very important.

logo-giahs

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems.