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
.jpg?sfvrsn=6cab31b9_1)
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
Roots, Reefs and Recipes brings the flavours of SIDS to Rome
The flavours of Samoa, Cabo Verde, Haiti and Barbados came together in Rome on 11 October as chefs and representatives from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) showcased how food connects people, culture, nature and place.
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.
Resources
A Taste of SIDS: Food, culture and resilience of Small Island Developing States
14/10/2026
Through this publication, FAO seeks to revitalize traditions and celebrate the diversity of SIDS cuisines, while demonstrating how traditional food...
African SIDS solutions and investment forum 2026 - Report
23/09/2026
Big Ocean States leading the wave of agrifood systems transformation
FAO's work in Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries 2025
10/04/2026
The report is a comprehensive review of FAO’s current operations in SIDS, LDCs, and LLDCs. It highlights major results and evidenced-based successful...
FAO Action Plan 2026–2027 on supporting agrifood systems transformation in SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs
10/04/2026
The 2026–2027 Action Plan outlines FAO’s commitment to supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked...
The State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture 2025 The potential to produce more and better.
01/12/2025
In order to meet the demands of a growing global population, agriculture needs to produce about 50 percent more food, feed and fibre by 2050 compared...
FAO at 80 The pursuit of better food for all
01/12/2025
A new history of FAO explores 80 years of food and agriculture and the work of the Organization to continue to shape agrifood systems in a changing...
Pathways towards a just transition in agrifood systems Policy Brief
11/11/2025
Despite their critical role in climate action, agrifood systems have not been integrated into just transition policy debates under the UNFCCC, and are...
Insights from The State of Food and Agriculture 2024
15/10/2025
The 2023 and 2024 editions of The State of Food and Agriculture apply a true cost accounting (TCA) approach to estimate these costs, revealing that...
Rural poverty in the Caribbean – Assets, social exclusion and agricultural livelihoods
22/12/2024
Environmental shocks and stresses have significant negative effects on all aspects of social and economic wellbeing. These negative effects are more...
The quest for healthy diets
11/11/2024
What should we be eating? Is there one right answer? Is it as simple as choosing to eat well? Food must be nutritious for us to grow, work and thrive....
Crop Prospects and Food Situation
05/11/2024
The triannual Crop Prospects and Food Situation report provides a forward-looking global analysis of cereal production, market trends and acute food...
The State of Food and Agriculture 2024
02/11/2024
Uncovering the true cost of food is the first step in making agrifood systems more inclusive, resilient and sustainable. As The State of Food and Agriculture...
The rural multidimensional poverty index applied to Small Islands Developing States
01/11/2024
The rural multidimensional poverty index (R-MPI) fills an important research gap on accurate poverty measurement. This paper presents the technical...
Insights from Côte d’Ivoire, Cambodia, the Pacific, Guatemala and Albania
01/09/2024
The need to shift towards new ways of thinking and working to address the current global challenges is implied in the growing conversation around agrifood...
-2024.jpg?sfvrsn=10479ef9_2 "The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2024")
The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2024
01/07/2024
SOFI 2024 provides time-critical recommendations for more efficient use of innovative financing tools, and for reforms to the food security and nutrition...
The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024
02/06/2024
The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) is a flagship report of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which...
Good packaging practices for micro, small and medium-sized food processing enterprises in the Caribbean Community and Common Market
01/06/2024
Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) continue to serve as a major source of employment and income generation in the agriculture and tourism...
Value chains of mackerel scad and tuna-like species caught by the semi-industrial fishing fleet of Cabo Verde
01/05/2024
This report was developed under the Korean-funded “Sustainable Fish Value Chains for Small Island Developing States” project. The project aims to contribute...
Climate-related development finance to agrifood systems
01/02/2024
The amount of climate finance flowing to agrifood systems is strikingly low and continues to diminish vis-à-vis global climate finance flows. Agriculture...
Loss and damage and agrifood systems
01/12/2023
Agrifood systems are intrinsically linked to climate change and are particularly vulnerable to its impacts. Each year hundreds of billions of dollars’...
5/11
2026
From Islands to Impact: South-South Cooperation for Resilient Agrifood Value Chains in SIDS
05/11/2026
Held during the 2026 Pacific SIDS Solutions Forum, this side event will explore how South-South Cooperation can strengthen resilient, inclusive and competitive agrifood value chains in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
3/11
2026
6/11
2026
2026 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Solutions Forum
Hybrid Event, 03/11/2026 - 06/11/2026
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is committed to supporting a holistic and sustainable transformation of agrifood systems, including through accelerated climate action across the Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS).