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.
Office of SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs (OSL)
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FAO working with SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs
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.
In the news
Global Call for Recipes from SIDS
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a global call for recipes from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to celebrate and elevate their rich culinary traditions. Chefs, home and school cooks, farmers, culinary enthusiasts, and community members, including youth, from SIDS and beyond, are invited to share original recipes that reflect their culinary heritage using locally available ingredients. Submissions may include everyday dishes, ceremonial foods, school meals, festive meals, or adaptations of traditional recipes that respond to contemporary challenges.
Submit your recipes HERE
Submissions are open until 23 March 2026 at midnight CET.
FAO supports Tuvalu in the first National Crops and Livestock Census
20/02/2026
Funafuti - In preparation for Tuvalu’s first National Crops and Livestock Census, FAO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources Development, the Central Statistics Division, and the Pacific Community (SPC) in Tuvalu, has kick‑started training to equip field staff with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to collect accurate, high‑quality census data. The Census which will be conducted in 2026 will be a historic first of its kind to count the whole country’s population, with a focus on agricultural holdings. This census will record data from all crops, livestock and other on-farm activities.
26/01/2026
Port-au-Prince / Santo Domingo — A high-level Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) mission to Haiti and the Dominican Republic this week underscored a central reality for the Caribbean: food security is a shared regional challenge, requiring both life-saving, emergency agricultural action to respond to acute needs as well as cutting-edge prevention and preparedness systems to protect food supply chains.
Resources
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...
End of Year Video Message By Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
29/12/2025
In his end-of-the-year 2025 video message, Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General reflected on 80 years of FAO’s unwavering commitment to a world free from hunger, reminding that the right to food is a fundamental human right, and that peace is a prerequisite for food security.
Papua New Guinea ministerial interview at the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum 2025
14/11/2025
In this video, John Boito, Minister for Agriculture of Papua New Guinea, discusses why the Hand-in-Hand (HIH) Initiative presents an exciting opportunity for the country. He explains which sectors are being targeted for investment, why they were selected, and how HIH can help revitalize them. He also shares his experience at the Forum.
Samoa Women’s Association of Growers (SWAG)
07/08/2021
The Samoa Women’s Association of Growers (SWAG) is a grassroots organization helping Samoan women growers and farmers to network, learn, and socialize in an environment that is open and supportive. Papali’I Mele Mauala explains how SWAG fills an organizational gap for advocating women’s issues which can be incorporated into policies, strategic planning involving women in decision making processes.
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...
14/4
2026
17/4
2026
Global LLDC Workshop
14/04/2026 - 17/04/2026
Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) face persistent challenges in accessing global markets due to geographical constraints, high transport and trade costs, and limited infrastructure connectivity. This set of interconnected workshops under the
3/3
2026
5/1
2026
FAO African SIDS solutions and investment forum
03/03/2026 - 05/01/2026
FAO’s African SIDS Solutions and Investment Forum will take place in São Tomé and Príncipe from 3–5 March 2026, under the theme: “Big Ocean States leading the wave of agrifood systems transformation.
29/6
2025
2025 High-Level Ministerial Special Event “From Vulnerability to Resilience - Strengthening Food Security and Better Life in Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries.
29/06/2025
High-Level Ministerial Special Event “From Vulnerability to Resilience - Strengthening Food Security and Better Life in Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries”, providing a platform for Ministerial Representatives from SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs, as well as development partners and stakeholders, to share best practices and innovative ...