Pastoralists, part of a diverse cultural heritage based on local and indigenous knowledge, raise and herd animals. They also preserve ecosystems throughout the world and play a vital part in feeding millions of the world’s hungry. But are they also the bringers of spring? According to the Hungarian traditional event Böszörményi Csergetés (Böszörmény whip cracking), organized in Hajdúböszörmény, they, in fact, are.

On 16 March 2026, representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), led by Deputy Regional Representative Nabil Gangi, met with Gergely Karácsony, Mayor of Budapest. As Hungary’s capital, the city plays a key role for FAO, hosting the Organization’s Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia and the Global Shared Services Centre since 2007. 

On 19 February 2026, first-year Master’s students of the FAO–Hungarian Scholarship Programme 2025–2026 had the opportunity to participate in a workshop to learn more about the Organization’s work at the regional office. The group included 19 diverse and motivated participants from 14 countries—Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, the Philippines and Uganda.

Hailing from countries around the world, the new cohort of young agricultural professionals has started its post-graduate studies in Hungary under the joint scholarship programme of Hungary and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The scholars were officially welcomed by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and FAO at an event held on 5 December in Budapest.

Uneaten meals in Hungarian school canteens may get a second life. Until recently, these untouched portions were mostly discarded, but now they can be distributed to people in need. This marks an important step as, according to surveys, in some schools more than 10 percent of cooked food regularly goes to waste.

Established in 1945, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – along with the United Nations itself – is marking the 80th anniversary this year. Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ministry of Agriculture together with the global Shared Services Centre (SSC) and the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) celebrated the -enduring and unwavering commitment of FAO to eliminate hunger and agrifood systems transformation at an event in Budapest Hungary on 24 June.

The Food and Agriculture Organizations of the United Nations (FAO)–Hungarian Government Scholarship Programme for the 2024–2025 academic year has come to an end, with seventeen exceptional scholars finishing their studies this year in the fields of water management, biotechnology, and food safety and quality engineering. On 27 June 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary hosted the closing ceremony of the graduating students.

FAO and the Regional Centre for Forestry and Rural Development (REFORD) in North Macedonia hosted the annual international meeting of the Forest Invasive Species Network for Europe and Central Asia (REUFIS) from 4 to 6 June 2024 in Skopje, North Macedonia. The primary focus of this year’s meeting was the role of invasive species in urban forest planning. During this three-day event, participants explored the relationship between invasive species and urban forestry

In historic Samarkand, Uzbekistan, leading thinkers from around the globe convened for an international conference on food security to discuss a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for the world's agrifood systems. The event was organized by the Government of Uzbekistan, with technical support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

A study tour brought representatives of Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and North Macedonia to Hungary to learn about improving their seed systems. The visit on 16–20 May constituted part of an FAO project aiming to enhance climate resilience in agriculture.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is hosting the third regional workshop of an informal technical network on community development for Europe and Central Asia. Members will discuss ways to promote the principles of the territorial approaches to rural development in the region. The event is a forum to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and share lessons learned from regional and country-level experiences.

Agrifood systems in Europe and Central Asia are strongly affected by multiple crises. To take stock of the current situation and discuss a way forward, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) convened its Member Nations of the Eurasia region in Budapest, hosted by the Government of Hungary.

Starting today, at the two-day Informal Consultation 35 Members are present in attendance, and more than ten are joining virtually, together with representatives from the European Union, civil society, private sector, academia, and research institutions. 

Over the past 50 years, food production has grown by almost 300 percent. And yet, by 2050, we will need to produce 60 percent more food to feed a world population of 9.3 billion.

Today's global crises of the ongoing pandemic, conflicts, climate change, inflation and international tensions all have a serious impact on food security. More than 800 million people suffer from hunger worldwide, and the number is rising sharply, so there is a greater need than ever for governments, private sector, and the civil society to take action to alleviate hunger collaborate, as well as for raising the awareness of the public.