Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) commemorated the 30th anniversary of its Emergency Prevention System (EMPRES). The special side event “Towards a sustainable future: Leading the fight against transboundary pests and diseases” recognized EMPRES's crucial role in responding to devastating locust swarms, preventing the spread of emerging livestock and zoonotic diseases, and containing plant pathogens. 

Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (FAO) is enhancing the capacity of locust survey officers to strengthen locally-led response. “Capacity building for these officers can easily be ignored during locust recession periods and before the locust outbreak,” observed FAO Locust Management Expert. 

The spread of banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) and Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4) in Central and Western African regions poses a serious threat to economic growth and sustainable development. FAO is supporting countries to improve their emergency preparedness to limit the spread and introduction of the two diseases to unaffected areas, through awareness-raising and the development of contingency plans.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean are among the most vulnerable to external shocks and climate-related changes including exacerbation and proliferation of plant pathogenic diseases like Foc TR4. FAO in partnership with the Caribbean Plant Health Directors Forum is using the farmer field school (FFS) approach to train technical staff, extension workers, and other stakeholders to prepare for a potential Foc TR4 incursion in the Caribbean.

During the two-day workshop, the two countries shared their knowledge in plant health emergency preparedness and management, and other areas of interest. The field visits conducted aimed to promote local, cost-effective, and proven development solutions, particularly in emergency situations involving vegetable virus diseases.

At the High Level Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) Forum on Food Security and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Uzbekistan, FAO locust experts called on countries to invest in preventive measures and new technologies to protect food security and ensure sustainable environment. Among the high-level participants included FAO Director General, QU Dongyu, and Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov. 

Following several field trials in different conditions, the new Locust Pesticide Management System (LPMS) has been launched in countries across North Africa, Eastern Africa and the Middle East. The advanced digital tool is designed to support countries to better manage and monitor pesticide stocks and equipment used for locust control to enhance preparedness.  

Foc TR4, a soilborne fungus causing banana Fusarium wilt, was first detected in Africa on two farms in northern Mozambique in 2013. The fungus was effectively confined to the infested properties until 2019 when it was found on Mayotte island, and subsequently in the...

Wheat rust diseases threaten to affect approximately 0.5 million hectares of Turkmenistan’s arable land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is supporting the government of Turkmenistan to develop the first ever national strategy and the accompanying contingency plan for the prevention and management of the complex wheat rusts.

The young professionals who were at the forefront of the fight against desert locusts during the 2019–2021 upsurge have undergone a refresher training on the general organization and structure of desert locust campaigns. The training reequipped the 'reserve team' with skills that enable them to train others in their respective counties whenever called upon.