Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) face persistent and complex challenges in transforming their agrifood systems. Geographic isolation, climate vulnerabilities, and economic constraints compound the challenges of food insecurity, malnutrition, and environmental degradation, slowing progress towards zero hunger and poverty eradication.
FAO’s Commitment
FAO is committed to supporting countries to address these challenges. In 2020, FAO established the Office of SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs (OSL) to provide dedicated support to these groups of countries. This commitment aligns with the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 and is reinforced by flagship initiatives such as The Hand-in-Hand Initiative and tailored technical assistance that strengthens resilience and promotes sustainable Agrifood systems.
Contacts:
Our Approach
FAO’s work in SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs
FAO promotes a holistic approach that fosters policy coherence, resource mobilization and strategic partnerships to deliver efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for the world’s most vulnerable nations.
Support is provided at country level through the Country Programming Framework (CPF), a tailored mechanism that aligns FAO’s assistance with national development priorities and capacities.
The Organization plays a pivotal role in enabling evidence-based policy and decision-making by providing access to robust data and scientific research, geospatial tools and market analysis and inclusive, multi-stakeholder platforms involving governments, civil society and the private sector, to inform strategic planning and implementation. These tools help governments build resilient agrifood systems and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
FAO actively supports the implementation of the ten-year programmes of action for these vulnerable groups: the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (2024-2034), the Doha Programme of Action for LDCs (2022-2031) and the Awaza Programme of Action for LLDCs ( 2024-2034). By integrating these principles, FAO ensures a harmonized and targeted approach to addressing country-specific needs, reinforcing collective responsibility and mutual accountability in transforming agrifood systems.
Useful Links
- Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (2024-2034)
- Doha Programme of Action for LDCs (2022-2031)
- Awaza Programme of Action for LLDCs ( 2024-2034)
- UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States
- FAO Policy Support and Governance Gateway
- FAO Agricultural Development Economics Technical Study series
- FAO Agricultural Development Economics Policy Briefs series
- FAO Members Gateway
Our focus
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SIDS
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) were recognized as a special case for environmental protection and sustainable development at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They remain highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, disasters, environmental degradation, and economic shocks due to their small size, isolation, and limited economies.
Comprising 40 states and approximately 65 million people, SIDS also possess significant strengths, including rich biodiversity, vibrant cultures, and vast marine resources vital to livelihoods and food security. In 2024, the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) set ten priorities to guide sustainable development over the next decade. FAO aligns its support with the ABAS through coordinated efforts at country, regional, and global levels to advance resilient and inclusive development in SIDS.
LDCs
Since 1971, the United Nations has recognized the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) as the most economically and structurally vulnerable group. Yet, more than five decades later, LDCs continue to face deep-rooted structural challenges, including protracted poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. Forty-four countries are currently classified as LDCs, representing about 14 percent of the world’s population but contribute only a small share of global GDP, investment, and trade.
While notable progress has been made in areas such as health, education, and energy access, stronger and better-coordinated international support is essential to fully implement the Doha Programme of Action (2022–2031). FAO contributes to this effort by strengthening agrifood systems to enhance resilience, productivity and sustainable development across LDCs.
LLDCs
Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) comprise 32 nations, including 16 LDCs, and are home to about 570 million people. Without direct access to the sea, they face persistent challenges such as high transport and trade costs, dependence on transit countries, weak infrastructure, and limited economic diversification. As a result, LLDCs account for only 1.3 percent of global exports, 82 percent of which are unprocessed commodities and their trade costs are about 1.4 times higher than those of coastal countries.
Despite some progress, major inequalities and vulnerabilities remain, requiring urgent collective action, renewed commitments, and stronger partnerships. FAO supports LLDCs in line with the Awaza Programme of Action (2024-2034), working to advance resilient and inclusive development at all levels.
Latest
News
FAO Launches Asian Landlocked Developing Countries Network to Mobilize Investment for Sustainable Agrifood Systems
FAO together with participating Asian LLDCs launched the Asian LLDCs Network at the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17). The Network brings together Bhutan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mongolia and Nepal, building on a proposal introduced at the 38th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC38), where it received strong support from Ministers.
Publication
New publications to speed up food system transformation SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs
Newly published, FAO’s two strategic publications show how SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs can strengthen food systems through targeted, country‑led action. FAO’s Work in SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs 2025 and the FAO Action Plan 2026–2027 review progress achieved and define clear, practical priorities for the years ahead. Together, they reaffirm FAO’s commitment to inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems that respond to countries’ specific needs and vulnerabilities.
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News
Launch of FAO Action Plan for SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs marks stronger, more coordinated support for countries most exposed to global shocks
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu underscored the need for stronger and more coordinated support to countries most exposed to global shocks during a high-level event at FAO headquarters marking the launch of two publications focused on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).
Resources
FAO in the Pacific 2021 - Annual report of FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands
23/05/2022
FAO in the Pacific: 2021 Annual Report' presents the results that FAO-led projects and programmes contributed to the timely and effective joint response...
SIDS Solutions Forum report
02/02/2022
On the 30 and 31 August 2021, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Government of Fiji and the...
Project News: Support to Rural Entrepreneurship, Investment and Trade in Papua New Guinea (EU-STREIT PNG)
01/10/2021
Read about vanilla and cocoa farmers, youth, women and fishers who have received technical support to promote sustainability and livelihoods.
.jpg?sfvrsn=725c4b92_2 "Long distance vanilla (Samoa)")
Long distance vanilla (Samoa)
31/08/2021
After COVID-19 closed Samoa to international visitors, taking advantage of e-commerce training and networking opportunities enabled one business owner...
.jpg?sfvrsn=81d405ca_2 "Samoa Women's Association of Growers (SWAG)")
.jpg?sfvrsn=2cbde8b2_2 "Sustainable farming (Fiji)")
.jpg?sfvrsn=f9d32617_2 "SOLA Solutions for Open Land Administration (Samoa)")
SOLA Solutions for Open Land Administration (Samoa)
31/08/2021
SOLA (Solutions for Open Land Administration) is an open-source software for land title registration and cadastral mapping. This technology enables...
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Transforming agricultural value chains (Cook Islands)
31/08/2021
In the Cook Islands, the Agritech initiative, aims to foster and adopt innovation to transform agricultural value chains by improving productivity and...
.jpg?sfvrsn=b77e15d8_2 "Smallholders adapting (Cook Islands)")
Smallholders adapting (Cook Islands)
31/08/2021
In response to movement restrictions due to COVID-19 that limited sales of fresh produce, a farmer decided to offer a new service to buyers by selling...
.jpg?sfvrsn=5fde78a_2 "Protected cropping system (Fiji)")
Protected cropping system (Fiji)
31/08/2021
Vegetable production in the Pacific Islands does not match local demand in terms of consistency in volumes and quality. Greenhouses provide controlled...
.jpg?sfvrsn=84e9f2d3_2 "SISSTEM-Sustainable Island Solutions through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Aruba)")
SISSTEM-Sustainable Island Solutions through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Aruba)
31/08/2021
The absence of local higher education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) has led to a brain drain in Aruba. SISSTEM aims to...
Pacific Online Organic Policy Tool Kit
31/08/2021
The Pacific Online Organic Policy Tool Kit is the first of its kind in the world. It aids in the development of policies to support organic farming...
.jpg?sfvrsn=33570db9_2 "Agriculture, content and tools (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands)")
Agriculture, content and tools (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands)
31/08/2021
Through a collective effort involving various stakeholders from Fiji’s agriculture industry, a platform for agriculture value chain stakeholders has...
Taro breeding (Fiji)
31/08/2021
New taro varieties were developed to be resistant to leaf blight, appetizing, of good quality and climate ready.
.jpg?sfvrsn=8ed063c2_2 "Hot air dryer (Solomon Islands)")
Hot air dryer (Solomon Islands)
30/08/2021
This hot air dryer extends the shelf life of products from 3 days to 3 months as compared with traditional methods. It supports farmers in fulfilling...
Poverty, malnutrition and food security in Pacific Small Island Developing States
30/08/2021
The paper summarizes the current status of poverty, malnutrition and food security in Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
.jpg?sfvrsn=5b217578_2 "Improving local value chains (Samoa)")
Improving local value chains (Samoa)
29/08/2021
Many Pacific Islands suffer from an underdeveloped local economy and rely on imported food for their consumption. Developing locally processed food...
.jpg?sfvrsn=76583971_2 "Real-time data platform (Fiji, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga)")
Real-time data platform (Fiji, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga)
29/08/2021
TUPAIA is a free, open-source data platform featuring data collection, management, and mapping-led visualization tools to support health, education,...
.jpg?sfvrsn=4e680da8_2 "Pest management (Fiji)")
Pest management (Fiji)
29/08/2021
The coconut, “Tree of Life,” is one of the most important traditional crops in Fiji. The use of pheromone (ethyl-4-methyl octanoate) bucket traps assists...
24/8
2026
Unlocking the full potential of fruits and vegetables for the transformation of agrifood systems
24/08/2026
Fruits and vegetables are vital for nutrition, food security, livelihoods and economic development, yet investment in their research and development remains insufficient in many regions. FAO's forthcoming report, Unlocking the Full Potential of Fruits and Vegetables Globally, examines global production, marketing, trade and consumption trends, identifies key value chain constraints, and high...
12/8
2026
International youth day event: Youth in SIDS agrifood systems dialogue and validation session
12/08/2026
On International Youth Day, the WFF Youth Assembly is convening a dialogue and working session to validate the "Youth Policy Recommendations for Agrifood Systems Transformation in Small Island Developing States" with youth from the Caribbean, Pacific, and Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea (AIMS) subregions.
26/8
2026
Sustainable Land and Soil Management for Agrifood Systems Transformation: Pathways for Landlocked Developing Countries
26/08/2026
Co-organized by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Mongolia.