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The FAO Liaison Office for North America works with strategic partners in the United States and Canada to achieve the goal of defeating hunger and malnutrition worldwide. Based in Washington DC, our office provides a neutral platform for knowledge sharing to facilitate the transformation of agrifood systems in order to achieve global food security, leaving no one behind.

Highlights

34th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC34)

event

The 34th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC34) will be held from 13-17 April 2026 in Nouakchott hosted by the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. Under the theme, Sustaining Agrifood Systems Transformation in Africa: Innovate. Partner. Invest., ARC34 will bring together government ministers from across Africa to discuss pertinent issues related to agrifood systems transformation.

Biosecurity in terrestrial animal value chains

In focus

Within animal value chains, biosecurity directly contributes to the ability to mitigate and manage emerging threats. By addressing and managing risks from a One Health perspective, the livestock and wildlife sectors, in collaboration with the veterinary services, play an integral role in managing animal and zoonotic disease risks and preventing the spread of antimicrobial resistant pathogens to humans and animals.

FAO Food Price Index rises in March as Near East conflict raises energy costs

news

The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 128.5 points in March 2026, up 3.0 points (2.4 percent) from its revised February level, marking a second consecutive month of increase. Price indices across all commodity groups—cereals, meat, dairy, vegetable oils and sugar—rose to varying degrees, reflecting not only underlying market fundamentals but also responses to higher energy prices linked to the conflict escalation in the Near East.

Global Agrifood Implications of the 2026 Conflict in the Middle East

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The escalation of conflict in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Middle East has sharply increased risks to global energy, fertilizer, and agrifood systems. Immediate measures such as developing alternative trade routes, strengthening market monitoring, providing financial support for farmers, and offering targeted aid for vulnerable countries are needed to stabilize supply chains.

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