In focus

Stop food loss and waste. For the people. For the planet.

The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is a call to action to move towards building resilient food systems

Highlights
Director-General
News
First-ever FAO Global Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization opens in Rome

Director-General QU Dongyu calls for sustainable, inclusive mechanization to transform agrifood systems.


News
Global call for concrete actions towards sustainable livestock transformation

First FAO Conference on the topic promotes intense debates on how to make production more environmentally friendly, supportive of rural livelihoods and able to meet the world’s growing protein needs.


DG
Director-General opens the first-ever Joint Agricultural Machinery and Livestock Exhibition at FAO

It showcases some of the latest technical developments in mechanization

Interactive story
Mechanization in action

Discover how agricultural mechanization can help us tackle pressing global issues.

Campaigns
Our actions are our future

Let’s work together for the right of all people to food, nutrition, peace and equality.

Event
Join the World Food Forum 2023

This year, the World Food Forum's (WFF) flagship event will comprise the Global Youth Forum for Food and Agriculture, the Science and Innovation Forum and the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum. Register now to attend.

In Focus
FAO response to global food security challenges

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

Campaigns
Zoom in on millets

Join our photo contest and help spread the word about the benefits of millets. It’s time to get snapping!

Director-General
DG
Director-General opens the first-ever Joint Agricultural Machinery and Livestock Exhibition at FAO

It showcases some of the latest technical developments in mechanization

Voices of Impact

27/09/2023

Simple technical innovations in germinated brown rice processing have reduced food losses and increased incomes in Thailand. Watch the video to see how, with FAO support, a women-led cooperative addressed food losses while improving families' lives.

Podcast
29/09/2023

The region of Ixil in Guatemala is one of the poorest coffee-growing regions in the world. Low literacy rates and child labor have long plagued the population. Find out how FAO and partners are promoting education and safe youth employment in the coffee industry.

Data

Food loss percentages by region (2016 and 2021)
2016
  • 2021
  • Source: FAO. 2023. Indicators. In: Sustainable Development Goals. Rome. Cited 8 June 2023. www.fao.org/sustainable-development-goals/indicators/en
    https://doi.org/10.4060/CC7088EN-fig52

    2020 World

    31.2%

    2010 World

    31.5%

    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.

    Publication
    Medium Term Plan and Programme of Work

    The Director-General’s Medium Term Plan (Reviewed) 2022-25 and Programme of Work and Budget 2024-25.

    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.

    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
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    sdg photo
    sdg photo
    sdg photo
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    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    sdg photo
    sdg photo

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

    sdg photo
    sdg photo

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

    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.

    sdg photo
    sdg photo

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

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    sdg photo
    sdg photo

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

    sdg photo
    sdg photo

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

    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.

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    Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems.

    Storm Daniel, Libya, September 2023

    Rapid impact assessment of the flood on agriculture and livelihoods

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