News archive 2012

Photo: ©FAO/Frank Nyakairu
The creation of an African-funded trust fund to support food security in the continent was discussed at FAO’s Regional Conference for Africa, held last week in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.The Africa Trust Fund would raise resources in the continent to fight hunger.
30-04-2012
Photo: ©FAO/Greg Ahrens
Placing renewed emphasis on sustaining the natural variety of crops and animals contributing to agriculture, including neglected yet nutritious traditional foods, can improve food security and address growing global concerns over poor nutrition and its negative health effects, officials said at the launch of a new international project at the World Nutrition Rio Congress 2012.
28-04-2012
Photo: ©FAO/Frank Nyakairu
Speaking at the opening of FAO's 27th Regional Conference Republic of the Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso made a “vibrant appeal” for Africa to show solidarity with countries in the African Sahel region and the Horn of Africa where millions of people are currently facing a food crisis.
27-04-2012
Photo: ©FAO/Souleymane Traoré
FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said today that funding gaps to assist herders, agro-pastoralists and farmers in the ongoing rainy season in the Sahel and Horn of Africa total over 110 million dollars. Recognizing efforts being made by donor countries to maintain their international aid, he added that "it is in times of crises that the vulnerable populations need us the most."
26-04-2012
Photo: ©FAO/Giulio Napolitano
An international media and knowledge centre was inaugurated at FAO headquarters today by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates and FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva.
24-04-2012
Photo: ©Government of Azerbaijan
Countries of Europe and Central Asia have unanimously reaffirmed their commitment to working together to promote sustainable rural development, tackle malnutrition and end hunger. Representatives of 46 governments gathered for two days in Azerbaijan to discuss food security challenges at the local and global levels and help plan FAO's work agenda for the coming two years.
20-04-2012
Photo: ©Government of Azerbaijan
Estonia has signed an agreement with FAO that for the first time provides voluntary funding to the Organization's development programme. The agreement specifies that Estonia would like to assist countries from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus.
19-04-2012
Photo: ©FAO/Vasily Maximov
The success of efforts to shift over the longer term to a model of sustainable economic development taking place under the Rio+20 umbrella will require that the world first tackle its "most urgent" challenge - ending hunger, said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva at the start of the Organization's biennial regional conference for Europe.
19-04-2012
Photo: ©FAO/Johan Spanner
By 2030 undernourishment will be only a minor problem in Europe and Central Asia, but obesity and diet-related illnesses like heart disease could emerge as major challenges for public policy, FAO said today.
18-04-2012
Photo: ©FAO/Alessandra Benedetti
Twelve countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia will start working with the European Union and FAO to manage their vast stocks of obsolete pesticides in a partnership launched at FAO’s Rome headquarters. An estimated 200 000 tons of obsolete pesticides, nearly half the world's stockpiles, can be found in twelve former Soviet republics. Kept in tens of thousands of unprotected sites, they pose a threat to public health and to the environment.
12-04-2012