New early-season forecasts point to likely declining global cereal harvests and trade in the year ahead

On 28 May, the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy convened a scientific conference on the occasion of International Day of Potato 2026. The theme of the forum was Where potatoes grow, livelihoods flourish. The event was prepared by FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Academy, and PhosAgro company.

On 26–29 May, the “Invasive species as a potential threat to the biological security of Russia: challenges and risks” scientific and practical conference on biological security, phytosanitary, emerging infections, and intersectoral interaction was held in Moscow and in Bykovo settlement in the Moscow region.

Representatives of FAO Moscow Office and UNEP, federal and regional authorities, academic institutions, universities, beekeeping associations, and apiculture practitioners took part in the round table on World Bee Day 2026. The Bashkir State Agrarian University (BashGAU) in Ufa hosted the event.

The Liaison Office with the Russian Federation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) took part in the 80th International Scientific Conference of Young Scientists and Students organized by the Saint-Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine (SPbSUVM).

On 19–21 May 2026, Moscow hosted the traditional international exhibition Meat Industry.Chicken King.Refrigeration Industry for Agricultural Sector / MAP Russia 2026.

With the adoption of the joint report by consensus, the Thirty-fifth Session of the Regional Conference for Europe concluded in a positive spirit on 14 May. Hosted by Tajikistan in the capital, Dushanbe, the event was attended by over 230 participants, including representatives of more than 50 Members and of United Nations agencies, civil society, the private sector, research and academia, and rural youth.

The story of Benjamin Forster is a story of how organic beekeeping, environmental stewardship, and a drive to improve this sector can serve as a model for the development of sustainable agriculture in Russia and beyond.

Dushanbe - At the conclusion of his participation in the 35th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe (ERC35),  QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) highlighted the importance of regional solidarity, innovation and investment in accelerating the transformation of agrifood systems across Europe and Central Asia amid growing climate, economic and geopolitical pressures.

On 16–17 April 2026, the Epidemiology 2026 Congress was held in Moscow, bringing together over 2000 participants from 79 Russian regions and 16 foreign countries. The “Antibiotic resistance in human and veterinary medicine: the role of genomic data in solving epidemiological problems” special session was an important part of the agenda.  The section was chaired by Alexey Tutelyan, RAS academician, and Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation.

Rome - The benchmark of world food commodity prices rose in April for a third consecutive month amid elevated energy costs and disruptions caused by the conflict in the Near East, according to the latest release by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

On 27 April, a seminar on the prospects of Russia’s participation in the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems FAO programme was held at the Faculty of Geography of Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU). The launch of this programme aimed at preserving unique agricultural heritage sites and improving lives of local people was announced in 2002, and the first agricultural heritage system was registered in 2005.

The team of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation visited the Museum of Brands, History and Packaging Design in the centre of the town of Sergiev Posad near Moscow, where the It’s All About the Can. Canned Foods: History, Advertising, Labels exhibition is held from 19 March to 31 May. The exhibition is dedicated to the history of the can, which is one of the key inventions in food storage and transportation, enabling long-term storage of such products and reducing food loss.

From January to March 2026, Oleg Kobiakov, Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Liaison Office with the Russian Federation, delivered addresses at a number of important international and Russian fora. These events took place at various venues in Moscow, as well as in Dubai, Irkutsk, Minsk, and Bangkok. The addresses covered a wide range of topics corresponding to the broad mandate of FAO.

A brief internship of two students from the Ufa University of Science and Technology (UUST) at the Moscow Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was marked by such milestones as three international fora in two weeks, scientific symposia at the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), the Russian Geographical Society (RGS), and participation in a TASS press conference broadcast across Russia.

Rome – World food commodity prices rose in March for the second month in a row, due largely to higher energy prices linked to the conflict escalation in the Near East, according to the latest benchmark measure released Friday by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The 2nd International Forum of Wild-Harvest Processors and Superfood Producers, the main national event dedicated to the production of foods with high biological value made of wild-harvested and cultivated raw materials was held at the National Centre Russia. The forum, which took place on 31 March and 1 April, brought together representatives of the industry, federal and regional authorities, academia, and consumers

On 24 March, a symposium dedicated to World Water Day, which is celebrated annually on 22 March following a decision of the UN General Assembly, was held at the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS).

On 19 March, the FAO Moscow Office held a press conference at the TASS news agency to mark the International Day of Forests, which is observed annually by the decision of the United Nations General Assembly. The theme for 2026 was defined as Forests and Economies. The press conference brought together representatives from relevant ministries, federal agencies, international organizations and the private sector.

An interview with Thanawat Tiensin, ADG and Director of NSA, on the role of rangelands and pastoralists in sustainable agrifood systems, biodiversity preservation and climate resilience