FAO at the 2025 UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development
Geneva (Switzerland), Hybrid Event, 02/04/2025 - 03/04/2025
Members of the Eco-Milk cooperative collaborate to collect and process dairy products as part of FAO's 'Development and Application of Sustainable Sheep Production' project" in Aghdam, Azerbaijan.
©FAO/Javid Gurbanov
The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regional Forum on Sustainable Development is an annual, inclusive intergovernmental forum to support follow-up and review of progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the regional level.
It was organized from 2-3 April 2025 under the theme: “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind” in Geneva, Switzerland.
In alignment with the focus of the 2025 HLPF, the Forum assessed progress on the following SDGs:
.png?sfvrsn=13650f98_3){kind=icon} | SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages |
 | SDG 5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls |
 | SDG 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all |
 | SDG 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development |
 | SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. |
FAO participation in the 2025 UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development
1 April
13:00-14:30
Side event: Balancing Home and Farm: Unlocking opportunities for women in rural areas of Europe and Central Asia
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The double burden of farm and care work calls for innovative policies and programs that integrate care services and expand rural women’s economic opportunities in the subregions of Europe and Central Asia. In some areas, rural populations are declining due to migration and aging, raising concerns about labour shortages in agriculture and access to essential services. In other regions, high birth rates in rural areas increase demand for improved healthcare, education, and social services and better employment opportunities, highlighting the need for expanding opportunities for young rural women.
2 April 2025
13:15-14:15
Launch of Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition in Europe and Central Asia 2024 report
FAO and co-publishing partners revealed the latest food security and nutrition trends for Europe and Central Asia and present the specific subtheme of the report ‘Managing water resources sustainable for improved food security and nutrition.’ The hybrid event featured a panel discussion with high-level representatives of the seven partners to highlight the main findings of the report followed by a Q&A session.
Under the central theme – water security – the report highlights the water sector’s connections to agriculture, food security, and nutrition. The publication focuses on more than just water scarcity, it unpacks and quantifies water security, including aspects such as drinking water, sanitation, hygiene, water availability, water use efficiency, quality, and governance.
15:00-18:00
SDG 5 Roundtable
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Women are the backbone of agrifood systems in Europe and Central Asia, yet they face deep-rooted structural inequalities. While women in the region have relatively high education levels, they are overrepresented in informal, unpaid, and manual labor, with only 6.5 to 31 per cent of agricultural holdings managed by women. Their contributions are vital to food security, biodiversity, and rural economies, yet they remain largely invisible in decision-making and resource allocation. FAO’s research shows that women in the region have limited access also to land, water, financial services, advisory support, and technology. Only 10 percent of rural women benefit from advisory services, and just 5 percent own agricultural machinery. These disparities undermine economic growth and food security. Ensuring women’s full and equal participation in agrifood systems is essential for a resilient, food-secure, and sustainable future. The recent FAO Report on the Status of Women in Agrifood Systems found that closing the gender gap in farm productivity could increase global GDP by nearly USD 1 trillion and lift 45 million people out of food insecurity.
15:00-18:00
SDG 8 Round Table
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The digital divide remains a significant challenge for smallholder farmers and rural communities across Europe and Central Asia. Many farmers are still unable to leverage the opportunities of digitalization due to gaps in the rural infrastructure, inability to afford smart farming equipment or precision agriculture solutions and lack of skills to use digital tools effectively. Ensuring an inclusive and effective digital transition is not just an opportunity—it is a necessity for sustainable agriculture and rural development. The FAO Regional Office in Europe and Central Asia is implementing an integrated programme for the digitalization of agriculture in the region. In particular, the FAO Digital Villages Initiative aims to digitally transform rural areas by fostering adoption of smart farming, increasing access to services digitally, and holistically providing new opportunities for rural livelihoods.
15:00-18:00
SDG 14 Roundtable
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Oceans are a critical source of food and livelihoods, supporting 600 million people directly or indirectly and providing essential nutrition for 4.3 billion people worldwide. Aquatic foods are rich in protein and micronutrients, enhancing cognitive development, improving birth outcomes, and reducing the risk of major diseases. However, to maximize their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, we must transform our aquatic food systems. FAO's Blue Transformation is a comprehensive framework guiding this transformation. It supports science-based, ecosystem-driven fisheries management, promotes sustainable aquaculture, and ensures inclusive aquatic food value chains.
3 April
10:00-13:00
SDG 3 Round Table
Achieving SDG 3 requires an integrated, cross-sectoral approach recognizing the interdependence of human, animal, plant, and environmental health. FAO leads this effort through the One Health approach, working with governments and partners to enhance food safety, reduce zoonotic disease risks, and promote sustainable agricultural practices including integrated pest management to reduce pesticide use and responsible veterinary drug use to combat antimicrobial resistance. FAO advocates for embedding the One Health approach into policies, strengthening governance, and fostering global collaboration to build resilient food systems, safeguard human health, and protect our planet.
10:00-13:00
SDG 17 Round Table
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The Food and Agriculture Organization is committed to enhancing food security and nutrition across Europe and Central Asia, where diverse economic and agricultural landscapes demand tailored approaches. Enhancing global coordination is key, particularly in stabilizing food imports in net food-importing countries like landlocked developing countries. Financial instruments, including food stock mechanisms and climate finance, are necessary to address shocks exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. FAO’s collaboration with institutions like the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is vital in financing rural infrastructure and private sector growth. Strengthening multistakeholder partnerships and investing in data and science-based decision-making are integral to driving sustainable agrifood system transformation and achieving the 2030 Agenda. FAO connects science, technology, and innovation to drive inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. With shared vision and collective action, we can turn commitments into results, making sustainable development a reality.
13:15-14:45
Side event: Re-imagining the future of women in food systems: harnessing science, technology and partnership to advance the SDGs
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As the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) draws closer, the world faces a worrying setback in achieving gender equality. In Europe and Central Asia, recent instability has further threatened progress, particularly for women and girls in agrifood systems. Women are vital to food production, household nutrition, and rural development, yet their efforts often go unnoticed and unsupported.
This event spotlighted both the barriers and breakthroughs in empowering women across agrifood systems. It presented regional solutions driven by science, technology, and traditional knowledge, while promoting inclusive policies that recognize women's roles in food security, economic growth, and community well-being.
17:45-18:00
Closing Session
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FAO Regional Programme Lead, Raimund Jehle, speaking in this session underscored FAO's commitment to the "Four Betters" approach: better production, better nutrition, better environment, and better life for all. His remarks addressed key challenges and opportunities across the five SDGs under review.
"The time for action is now," Jehle emphasized. "With regional and global collaboration and commitment, we can build a healthier, more sustainable, and inclusive ECA region."Read the full FAO Statement here
3 - 4 April 2025
UNFSS+4 Regional Preparatory Meeting: Europe and Central Asia
The UNFSS+4 Regional Preparatory Meeting for Europe and Central Asia brought together National Convenors, regional institutions, UN agencies, civil society, academia, the private sector, financial institutions, and youth organizations. The meeting contributed to the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4) by reflecting on progress, strengthening accountability, and unlocking investments for food systems transformation in the region. This two-day event featured plenary sessions, interactive discussions, and peer-learning opportunities, providing a platform to exchange insights and shape regional contributions to UNFSS+4.
