For today's interview, we speak to Darja Bavdaž Kuret, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Slovenia to the United Nations.Slovenia is known as a nation of beekeepers. How does honey farming factor in the country’s economy and trade ties with the rest of the world? Beekeeping in Slovenia is...

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) participated in the 2020 Africa Dialogue Series, which took place from 20 to 22 May under the theme “COVID-19 and Silencing the Guns in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities”. Dr. Chimimba David Phiri, FAO Sub-regional Coordinator for Eastern Africa, and Representative...

In 2019, the 74th United Nations General Assembly designated 21 May as International Tea Day, acknowledging that tea is an important cash crop that plays a significant role in rural development, poverty reduction and food security in developing countries. The first observance of the International Tea Day was...

This year, 20 May – World Bee Day – is taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing new focus to the importance of safe and sustainable food, in which bees and other pollinators have a vital role. The members of the Green Group – Cabo Verde, Costa Rica, Iceland, Singapore,...

The Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) co-organized in May a virtual briefing for PSIDS Permanent Representatives to the United Nations to address the impacts of COVID-19 on food security and nutrition in the islands and discuss policy responses. The...

For today's interview, we speak to José Singer, Special Envoy of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations Security Council.You have recently presided over the United Nations Security Council. Which would you consider to be the highlights of your presidency and why?  I think that given the unprecedented and unique circumstances that...

“Science, technology and innovation play are critical in addressing global challenges and transforming food systems to sustainably feed the world’s growing population,” said Carla Mucavi, Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Liaison Office in New York, at the Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Digital Conference.  Mucavi went...

COVID-19 is creating significant food security and nutrition challenges that cities worldwide need to respond to and that go beyond the health emergency. According to a recent FAO survey targeting municipalities worldwide and that received responses from over 800 cities in 76 countries, measures taken to contain the spread of...

On 12 May, the Grassroots Indigenous and Traditional Women Agents for Change in the Caribbean organized a webinar to address major issues that affect and shape the lives and livelihoods of women in the Caribbean. Voices for Change in the Caribbean was hosted by the Maron Women Chamber of Cooperation,...

For today's interview, we speak to Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa.   Can you give us an idea of the growing direct impact that COVID-19 is having on Africa, with special regard to food and agriculture? What are the current projections for the near future? COVID-19 is having direct and...

COVID-19 is taking a heavy toll on the economies of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In a virtual briefing that was held on 7 May and co-organized by the United Nations Office of LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS (OHRLLS) and the United...

Preventing a pandemic-induced food emergency by Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the United Nations General AssemblyDespite successful harvests this past season, two billion people did not have regular access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food prior to the outbreak of the Coronavirus.  Indeed, hunger has been on the rise globally for the past...

For today's interview, we speak to Mariangela Zappia, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations. Ambassador Zappia also chairs the the Group of Friends of Food Security and Nutrition in New York.You recently moderated an Extraordinary High-Level Meeting of the Group of Friends of Food Security and Nutrition on...

Today the United Nations Security Council held an open video conference on the “Protection of civilians from conflict-induced hunger”. Organized under the Presidency of the Dominican Republic, the event marked the first time that Security Council statements have been fully webcast since teleworking was effectuated to counter the spread of COVID-19. Keynote speakers included...

The 2020 edition of the annual Global Report on Food Crises was released today by the Global Network against Food Crises. Among the key findings is the fact that in 2019 there were 135 million people across 55 countries and territories who were experiencing acute food insecurity. In other words, these people’s inability...

The Group of Friends of Food Security and Nutrition in New York, currently chaired by Italy, held today a virtual meeting, co-organized with Brazil, Canada and Egypt, to discuss the possible impacts of COVID-19 on food security, availability and supply. More than 270 participants attended, including many Permanent Representatives from...

Efforts to stop the ravenous swarms of desert locusts in East Africa have just gotten another boost, thanks to a 19 million USD contribution from the United States. After having initially pledged 9 million USD to support response efforts, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have increased their...

The Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) role in monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) featured prominently during the proceedings of the 51st United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC), which was held at UN headquarters in New York. The highest decision-making body for international statistical standards met from 3 to 5 March,...

The Food and Agriculture Organization with the United Nations (FAO) leant its weight to the Haiti humanitarian response plan appeal at a briefing to Member States organized by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Over the past decade, the country has been hit by major natural disasters,...

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is scaling up its support to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) announced Ms. Carla Mucavi, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York, at the event “AOSIS vision for 2020: advancing ambition, building bridges and...