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Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries

From vulnerability to resilience: advancing sustainable agrifood systems for SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs

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. 

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.

Our focus

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.

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

Friendly food consumption app (Fiji)
29/08/2021

The 2015 Fiji National Nutrition Survey, showed significant levels of anemia; childhood stunting-wasting; maternal micronutrient deficiency & adult...

Plant doctor (Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga)
29/08/2021

Farmers sometimes face considerable production losses due to pests and diseases. Treatment is possible if the pest and/or disease is properly identified....

Processing centres (Fiji)
28/08/2021

Post-harvest losses, which may average 20-30% for some commodities, are considerable because of the lack of food processing units and lack of market...

Cyber food (Fiji)
28/08/2021

Fiji has very low digital literacy, making online food delivery a challenge. This innovative response was to develop a hybrid model to assist customers...

Overview of the challenges and opportunities associated with innovation and digitalization in Pacific Small Islands Developing States
27/08/2021

This desk review identifies the current challenges and opportunities associated with innovation and digitalization in Pacific SIDS.

Plant health clinics (Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga) – Pacific Community
25/08/2021

Plant health clinics are held regularly at farmer-friendly places, markets in particular, with farmers bringing samples to assist in problem identification.

Overview of existing knowledge exchange platforms in Pacific Small Island Developing States
10/08/2021

This desk review provides an overview of the existing knowledge exchange platforms in SIDS, with a particular emphasis on identifying the gaps that...

Gender, women and youth: Implications for innovation and digitalization
01/08/2021

The paper assesses the involvement of women and youth in agri-food systems in the Pacific SIDS and their capacity to adopt and devise digital and non-digital...

The FAO-Thiaroye Processing Technique (FTT). Guidance for building and using the FTT for smoking fish Based on experience from adapting it to the context of the Federated States of Micronesia
11/01/2021

The FAO-Thiaroye Processing Technique (FTT), popularly used in many African countries for producing smoked fish, was successfully introduced to fish...

The role of diets and food systems in the prevention of obesity and non-communicable diseases in Fiji
05/01/2021

The aim of this report is to provide evidence and information to facilitate and enhance policy dialogue in various forums, to produce recommendations...

Food consumption in Solomon Islands
02/01/2021

Based on the analysis of the food data collected in the 2012/13 HIES around one person out of 10 was undernourished in Solomon Islands.

Kiribati food security profile
01/01/2021

This brochure summarizes data on food consumption, demography and food prices in Kiribati.

Marshall Islands food security profile
01/01/2021

This brochure summarizes data on food consumption, demography and food prices in Marshall Islands.

QR code contact tracing system (Cook Islands)
31/08/2020

Cook Safe+ is the contact tracing system developed by Cook Islands based on a QR code to ensure that all visitors and residents participate in contact...

National agri-food systems and COVID-19 in Solomon Islands
04/04/2020

Effects, policy responses, and long-term implications.

Effects, policy responses, and long-term implications
04/04/2020

No food can prevent COVID-19 infection. However, it is important to maintain a healthy diet for your health, immunity and nutritional well-being, especially...

Working across sectors is crucial for food security and nutrition in Fiji
03/02/2020

Fiji, a middle-income country considered a small island developing State, has achieved important economic and social development goals in recent times....

Pacific Nutrient Database (PNDB) User Guide
04/01/2020

The PNDB is designed to facilitate the use of data, primarily derived from Household Income and Expenditure Surveys, to conduct poverty, nutrition and...

Solomon Islands food security profile
04/01/2020

Succinct data on food consumption, health and lifestyle for the Solomon Islands is presented in this publication.

Country Gender Assessment of Agriculture and the Rural Sector in Vanuatu
03/01/2020

Published jointly with SPC, this report examines how gender issues interact with social, economic and environmental development in Vanuatu.

Real stories. Real Impact

27/10

2026

29/10

2026

Africa Forum on Harnessing Science and Innovation for Agrifood Systems Transformation
27/10/2026 - 29/10/2026

The Africa Forum on Harnessing Science and Innovation for Agrifood Systems Transformation will bring together policymakers, researchers, innovators, investors, development partners, private sector actors, farmers' organizations and youth leaders to accelerate the adoption and scaling of science-based solutions across Africa.

10/4

2026

Charting progress and paving the way forward: FAO’s current work and future actions for SIDS, LDCs & LLDCs
Hybrid Event, 10/04/2026

Discover how FAO is scaling up action where it matters most. Join us for the launch of FAO 2025 report on its work in SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs and the FAO Action Plan 2026-2027, setting out a renewed, strategic pathway to accelerate agrifood systems transformation in the world’s most vulnerable contexts.

26/1

2026

27/1

2026

Youth Forum for the Transformation of Agri-food Systems in Latin America and the Caribbean
Hybrid Event, 26/01/2026 - 27/01/2026

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recognizes the central role that young people play in transforming agri-food systems and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through its 2022-2031 strategic framework, FAO has determined that young people are a group whose needs must be addressed across all areas of the organization's work. In this context, a...