In focus

Why forests matter to us all

Forests provide livelihoods, improve soil quality and so much more!

Highlights
Director-General
In Focus
Ukraine: Humanitarian response

All information on how we have been responding to the ongoing situation.

News
Yemen: Acute hunger at unprecedented levels as funding dries up

Joint FAO/UNICEF/WFP Press Release.

New Scenarios on Global Food Security based on Russia-Ukraine Conflict

by QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

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.

Story
How natural products provide forest communities with livelihood opportunities

For International day of Forests on 21 March, read about four beauty products found in forests that support local communities.

Campaigns
Protecting our forests and trees

This International Day of Forests, you can help spread the word about sustainable wood production and consumption!

Director-General
New Scenarios on Global Food Security based on Russia-Ukraine Conflict

by QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Voices of Impact

Forest and Landscape Restoration in Cambodia
Watch this video to see how the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is working with local authorities, partners and communities to restore forests and landscapes in Cambodia.
DURATION 5:42
Videos
“We will keep moving forward”: nomadic pastoralists and COVID-19

Watch this animation on using resilience and ancestral knowledge to respond to the pandemic.


When forests are managed sustainably, wood is a renewable resource

With advances in science, wood is changing how we see the world, how we dress, and how we move in more climate-friendly ways.

Podcasts

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.


In the Greater Karamoja Cluster, competition over natural resources has led to cattle raids and violent conflicts in recent decades. Now, peace in the region is contributing to more sustainable and resilient food systems.

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

SDG indicator 15.1.1 - Forest area as proportion of total land area (percent)

15 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 15 Life on land

2020 World

31.2%

2010 World

31.5%

In depth

In Focus
Hand in Hand Initiative

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

4 Betters visual
In Focus
FAO’s Strategic Framework

Articulating FAO's vision of a sustainable and food secure world for all, in the context of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

Graph
Statistics
FAOSTAT - Food and agriculture data

FAOSTAT provides free access to food and agriculture data for over 245 countries and territories and covers all FAO regional groupings from 1961 to the most recent year available.

logo-giahs

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems