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FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia

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FAO urges efficient and sustainable water management at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference
13/06/2025
Water security is key for ensuring food security and countries can rely on the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to improve water management at the farm, national, and transboundary levels, as well as to facilitate to access innovative financing. This was the central message of Viorel Gutu, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia at the 2025 Hamburg Sustainability Conference. Gutu spoke at the panel discussion ‘Water, Food, Future: Navigating the global water crisis for food security’ on 2 June.
Central Asian countries unite for sustainable water and land management
04/06/2025

Central Asia, home to ecologically important river and wetland systems, extensive grasslands, and high mountain ranges that support unique biodiversity, faces escalating pressures. The region is particularly vulnerable due to its arid nature, increasing demands for natural resources, unsustainable development, and changing climate patterns, which contribute to an estimated USD 6 billion in annual economic losses related to land degradation alone. In response, five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – are supporting the development of the Central Asia Water-Land Nexus (CAWLN) programme.

Collaboration is key to successful land management in Bosnia and Herzegovina
26/05/2025

While Bosnia and Herzegovina has successful examples of land degradation neutrality efforts, more aggressive action is needed to address the broader challenges.

The priorities should include harmonising land regulations across both entities and Brčko District, followed by the adoption of unified methodologies and the creation of reliable collection, storage and analysis capabilities. Only through an approach that ensures a uniform framework across all administrative units in Bosnia and Herzegovina can the issue of land protection be effectively addressed.

Standing the test: Five countries see proof of IPM success at FAO workshop
23/05/2025
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) this week held a two-day workshop for experts, representatives of universities and other partners from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Türkiye to teach them more about the approach and share best practices. As a platform for presenting achievements, sharing lessons learned and strengthening regional collaboration on the future of IPM, the workshop set the ambitious goal of encouraging long-term commitment to IPM strategies across the region.
Serbia strengthens national expertise in carbon accounting for agrifood systems
21/05/2025
A training course on strategic carbon accounting was held this week in Belgrade, Serbia to give experts and businesspersons practical tools to measure and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the agrifood sector. The training was convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as part of a larger project on Developing Nationally-Determined Contributions (NDC) Roadmaps for Climate-Smart Agrifood Systems, that is helping  Serbia and Uzbekistan decarbonize agrifood systems, adapt to climate risks, and attract private sector investment.
Armenia makes progress in building forest resilience
12/05/2025
Forests are critical to Armenia, in part for their importance in mitigating the effects of climate change. As highlighted by Aram Meymaryan, Deputy Minister of Environment of Armenia, at a 29 April meeting for a project to cultivate 5 000 ha of forest in the country, particularly in the northern Lori and southern Syunik regions. Funded primarily by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the project leverages resources and expertise from other actors, including the Government of Armenia, the Austrian Development Agency, the Autonomous Province of Bolzano (Italy), World Wildlife Fund for Nature Armenia, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Planty of reasons to celebrate plant health
12/05/2025
Plants provide essential resources to life on Earth. Agrifood systems and food cultures in Europe and Central Asia are heavily dependent on plants – a dependence which relies on those plants being healthy and thriving. Protecting plant health under the holistic One Health approach can help countries of the region boost economic development, reduce rural poverty, support biodiversity, and improve nutrition. Therefore, this year’s International Day of Plant Health, celebrated globally on 12 May, focuses on plants as a critical pillar within One Health.
FAO and Montenegro partner to enhance climate action in agriculture and forestry
09/05/2025
Montenegro, rich in forest resources, faces increasing climate-related challenges such as droughts, floods, and forest fires. The country has demonstrated its commitment to climate action through its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) (2025), targeting a total of 55 percent reduction in national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 from all sectors including the Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU).. Despite the recognition of its importance in terms of vulnerability and contribution to emissions, data information gaps continue to exist, limiting the ability to design and implement targeted actions, specifically also for AFOLU sectors.
Peer-to-peer learning helps municipalities to localize the Sustainable Development Goals
09/05/2025

A group of municipality representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia visited Mafra, a Portuguese municipality, last week to learn more from its example on localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mafra has shown a strong commitment in overall SDG implementation at the municipal level and in the development of a Voluntary Local Review (VLR), the internationally accepted process to review the implementation of SDGs at sub-national level.

Turkmenistan consultation addresses tech, private investment and climate finance access
02/05/2025

Stakeholders from across Turkmenistan gathered in Ashgabat on 17 April 2025 for a consultation focused on accelerating the country's access to climate finance by identifying crucial climate-resilient technologies and boosting private-sector engagement in climate action. The consultation was part of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness project Improving the Capacity of Turkmenistan to Access Climate Finance through Capacity Building and Strategic Frameworks.

Training strengthens Kosovan forest sector assessment and monitoring
02/05/2025
Strong, sustainable forest governance, underpinned by technical data, digital technologies, and institutional capacity are the necessary foundation to ensure the economic benefits of the forest sector to rural livelihoods and to mitigate climate change impacts. As part of the European Union and Sweden-funded programme to support sustainable and multipurpose forest management, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) conducted a targeted training to enhance the capacities of Kosovan officials for assessing and monitoring the economic aspects of the forestry sector. 
FAO Director-General: Mountain regions have great potential despite climate, biodiversity and land degradation threats
24/04/2025
Mountain regions especially in the world’s developing countries face growing pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation, yet mountain communities have great potential for climate-resilient development and work to upgrade mountain products sectors such as organic food, textiles and tourism services is already paying off, QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said here today.   
Kamil Yıldız: A role model farmer for Earth Day
22/04/2025
Today is Earth Day, a time to reflect on and to take local actions to safeguard the land and the environments that sustain all life. We each play a part and all efforts for sustainability are worthwhile. In Adaköy, a village in the Yeniçağa district of Bolu, Kamil Yıldız farms in the quiet embrace of nature. Kamil leases idle fields in the village, cultivating a total of 300 decares of land. To sustain the family farm, he grows wheat, barley, oats, alfalfa, forage peas and silage maize. Most of these crops are used as animal feed, except for wheat, which he sells.
Turkmenistan advances resilience in cotton production and pest management in cereal crops
11/04/2025
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is supporting Turkmenistan’s efforts in enhancing these two priority areas, within the framework of two projects, implemented with the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), “Strengthening technological innovation and research capacities for sustainable and climate-resilient cotton production” and “Support for the improvement of pest management capacities for cereal crops”. The implementation of the project started after FAO successfully held a joint inception workshop for the two projects in March, in Ashgabat, bringing together key actors to take initial steps in the work of the projects.
Just keep swimming: FAO works to mitigate climate change on inland aquatic resources and fisheries in Europe
07/04/2025

Inland capture fisheries play a vital role in supporting households, economies and cultures across Europe, through both commercial and recreational fishing. According to capture and landing statistics reported to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the total production from inland capture fisheries in Europe reached 167 187 tonnes in 2021, accounting for 1.5 percent of total global production, making this sector highly important for the region. Yet, climate change poses several challenges to the survival of fish species across Europe. It creates significant and often unpredictable impacts on inland fisheries, and it can be an exacerbating factor for other stressors. Foreseeably, this will lead to shifts in freshwater habitats which are mainly expected to be unfavourable for inland fisheries.

Innovative farming in Tajikistan
03/04/2025
In the Khatlon region of Tajikistan, farming of cotton, wheat and other crops has long been the backbone of rural livelihoods. Safarmad Gadoev, a farmer from the city of Kulob, was one of many who relied on the production of these crops to support his family. But the challenges of cotton and wheat farming—rising production costs, fluctuating market prices, water scarcity, and the impacts of climate change—made it difficult for him to earn a stable income. 
Forest restoration restores ecosystems and strengthens rural communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina
01/04/2025
A project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2022, addressing land degradation neutrality (LDN) issues, is progressing to foster a coherent policy environment and track progress towards achieving the national LDN targets. Land abandonment in the last 25 years has adversely affected 1.2 million rural people. 
Welding education and energy efficiency boost skilled workforce development in Armenia
24/03/2025
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched an initiative to strengthen welding education in Armenia. This is a component of the “Forest resilience of Armenia, enhancing adaptation and rural green growth via mitigation” project. It is implemented by FAO and the Environmental Project Implementation Unit of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia. The project is funded by the Green Climate Fund and co-funded by FAO, the Austrian Development Agency, the World Wildlife Fund and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano-Italy with significant financial support provided by the Government of Armenia.
Enhanced Forest Resilience project signed into action in Serbia
20/02/2025
On 20 February an agreement for the project “Enhancing the resilience of Serbian forests to ensure energy security of the most vulnerable while contributing to their livelihoods and carbon sequestration (FOREST Invest)’’ was signed between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in its capacity as an Accredited Entity of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Government of the Republic of Serbia, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, as well as two public enterprises “Srbijašume” and “Vojvodinašume”.
Comprehensive FAO analysis published for improved disaster risk reduction and management systems
11/02/2025
By helping communities avoid or lessen the impact of disasters, efforts to reduce and manage disaster risk can save lives and protect livelihoods. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports countries in developing disaster risk reduction and management systems for their agriculture sectors, not only to respond to disaster impacts but also to increase the resilience of at-risk populations by combining prevention, mitigation and preparedness.
Events

10/ 6

2025

13/6

2025

National biopesticide trial in Kyrgyzstan
(Kyrgyzstan), 10/06/2025 - 13/06/2025

From 10 to 13 June 2025, a national biopesticide trial as a part of the “Programme to improve national and regional locust management in Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA)” project will take place in Kyrgyzstan’s Chuy region as part of efforts to promote environmentally sustainable pest control solutions. The in-person event will include laboratory sessions and field demonstrations involving exper...

10/ 6

2025

12/6

2025

Regional Training on Climate Smart Agriculture
Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Hybrid Event, 10/06/2025 - 12/06/2025

As part of the “Small Farmers as Agricultural Innovators for Resilient Agrifood Ecosystems” initiative, a regional training workshop will be held in Bishkek, led by international expert Ahmed Hamdino. It will bring together 25 Farmer Field School (FFS) experts of which 20 are from Kyrgyzstan and five are from Uzbekistan. The training will cover key topics including climate-smart agriculture pri...

13/ 5

2025

15/5

2025

Seventh Meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee of CACFish
Baku (Azerbaijan), 13/05/2025 - 15/05/2025

The Central Asian and Caucuses Regional Fisheries and Aquaculture Commission (CACFish) is a Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO) that promotes the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture in Central Asia and the Caucasus. FAO is responsible for the operation of the Commission Secretariat. The five Members of the Commission are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan...

9/ 5

2025

Inception workshop: Enhanced strategic framework for Montenegro’s Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use sectors
Podgorica (Montenegro), 09/05/2025

Thee Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Montenegro’s Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Region Development will launch a new project from the country to enhance the strategic frameworks for the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sectors and to develop the 2nd National Forestry Inventory. The project is funded by the Green Clima...

8/ 4

2025

Technical Workshop in Uzbekistan: Adaptation activities under the Enhanced Transparency Framework
Tashkent (Uzbekistan), 08/04/2025

Uzbekistan submitted its first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) on 30 December 2024, in accordance with the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) under the Paris Agreement. The country is advancing efforts to improve transparency in tracking climate action, particularly through the implementation of the GEF-funded Capacity-Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) project. 

17/ 12

2024

19/12

2024

Speed dating consultations
Batken (Kyrgyzstan), 17/12/2024 - 19/12/2024

Within the framework of the project “Capacitated women civil society organizations sustaining peace in Kyrgyzstan”, so-called "Speed dating" sessions will be held in two rural areas of Batken district with the participation of national experts and local self-government bodies, local council deputies and residents.

25/ 11

2024

Opening ceremony of water reservoir
Batken (Kyrgyzstan), (Kyrgyzstan), 25/11/2024

The Batken oblast, located in the south-eastern part of the Fergana Valley, is characterized by a hot climate in spring and summer and is most...

14/ 11

2024

FAO Workshop: Implementing the second phase of the LDN Target-Setting Programme under the UNCCD
Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), 14/11/2024

The workshop in Bishkek will be attended by representatives of ministries and departments related to natural resource use (land, water, forest), UNCCD representatives, international organizations and projects, academia, and non-governmental organizations. The objectives of the event are to inform participants about the implementation of the UNCCD in Kyrgyzstan, to present the second phase of th...

10/ 11

2024

30/11

2024

Call for innovations, solutions, and best practices to enrich the Green Practices Repository
Virtual Event, 10/11/2024 - 30/11/2024

Green Agriculture promotes a holistic approach to greening agrifood systems by adopting sustainable practices, policies, and innovations that focus on efficient use of NR, inputs, and energy, reduction of carbon emissions and pollution, preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, sustainable consumption practices and reducing food loss and waste. It guides transformation of agrifood systems...

10/ 11

2024

16/11

2024

International study tour on pasture and forest management
Ankara (Türkiye), Konya (Türkiye), Eskişehir (Türkiye), Bolu (Türkiye), İstanbul (Türkiye), 10/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

The FAO/GCF project "Carbon Sequestration through Climate Investment in Forests and Rangelands in the Kyrgyz Republic" has initiated an intern...

11/ 11

2024

22/11

2024

FAO at COP29
Baku (Azerbaijan), 11/11/2024 - 22/11/2024

The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) hosted by Azerbaijan in Baku will take place between 11-22 November. The Conference is a landmark event in the global effort to combat climate change and ensure food security for present and future generations. For FAO, COP29 serves as a platform for collaborative dialogue, knowledge sharing, and decision-making on the unique role of agr...

24/ 9

2024

25/9

2024

National workshop on improved pest and pesticide management in Uzbekistan
Tashkent (Uzbekistan), 24/09/2024 - 25/09/2024

With support from the project “Technical Assistance for Sound Management of Hazardous Chemicals in Uzbekistan”, an FAO workshop will focus on introducing pesticide life-cycle management, identifying gaps in current systems, and developing a roadmap for improvements. Expected outcomes include enhanced collaboration, targeted interventions, and strategies to mitigate pesticide-related risks, ulti...

25/ 9

2024

27/9

2024

Workshop: Advancing climate action in agriculture in Europe and Central Asia
Baku (Azerbaijan), 25/09/2024 - 27/09/2024

The three-day regional workshop “Advancing climate action in agriculture in Europe and Central Asia” aims to underscore the critical role of agrifood systems in addressing climate change and implementing climate actions. It will explore the role of the agriculture sector in achieving the goals set by the Paris Agreement, particularly in relation to sustainable food systems, gender-responsive cl...

7/ 10

2024

11/10

2024

EIFAAC International Symposium and 32nd Session
Pula (Croatia), 07/10/2024 - 11/10/2024

The Thirty-Second Session of the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC) and a related International Symposium, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Croatia and the University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, will be held in Pula, Croatia from 7 to 11 October 2024. The Symposium will focus on building a sustainable future for inland fi...

29/ 5

2024

31/5

2024

Regional conference: Advancing on green policies for agrifood systems transformation
Yerevan (Armenia), Hybrid Event, 29/05/2024 - 31/05/2024

On 29-31 May 2024, FAO is organizing a regional conference in a hybrid format on green agriculture “Advancing on green policies for agrifood systems transformation in Europe and Central Asia”, in the framework of its regional project on scaling up green agriculture in the region.

21/ 5

2024

Third Regional Dialogue on Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems
Virtual Event, 21/05/2024

Since 2015, FAO has supported Members in the Europe and Central Asia region through the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) programme, which recognizes the commendable work of our farmers, herders, fishers and forestry people and serves a tool to protect and conserve the resilient agricultural systems they have built up. The third Regional Dialogue on GIAHS for Europe and C...

22/ 5

2024

23/5

2024

International forum for action on sustainable beekeeping and pollination
Ljubljana (Slovenia), 22/05/2024 - 23/05/2024

The Government of Slovenia and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organize an International forum for action on sustainable beekeeping and pollination. This biennial event brings together governments, experts, business and civil society to give a regular fresh impetus to the international cooperation on beekeeping and pollination and to align it with the quickly c...

16/ 4

2024

Conference on Bio- and Phyto-Remediation Technologies for Contaminated Agricultural Soil Towards Green Agriculture
Almaty (Kazakhstan), Hybrid Event, 16/04/2024

In the framework of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded and FAO-managed project “Lifecycle Management of Pesticides and Disposal of POPs Pesticides in Central Asian countries and Türkiye”, there remediation trials have taken place in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in the past years. Through this international conference, the results of these trials will be presented and explained, while pro...

25/ 3

2024

26/3

2024

Regional workshop on building resilience in agrifood systems for drought mitigation and emergency support
Chișinău (Moldova), Hybrid Event, 25/03/2024 - 26/03/2024

FAO is convening a regional workshop in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova from 25 to 27 March 2024 on climate-smart agriculture practices and policies as a way to increase resiliency in the face of current severe natural and human-made crises.

21/ 3

2024

Conference: Forests and Innovation. New solutions for a better world
Moscow (Russia), Hybrid Event, 21/03/2024

On the occasion of the International Day of Forests, FAO, in close cooperation with the Russian Federal Forestry Agency, is organizing a scientific and practical conference dedicated to this year’s theme: “Forests and innovation: New solutions for a better world” involving renowned international experts and decision-makers.

27/ 6

2023

GEF-funded project “Integrated Natural Resources Management in Degraded Landscapes in the Forest-Steppe Zone of Ukraine” closes
Kyiv (Ukraine), Hybrid Event, 27/06/2023

Invited speakers will present the main achievements of the project, review its challenges, and describe further plans and opportunities. The project was a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Agrarian Policy a...

21/ 6

2023

22/6

2023

Second regional dialogue on biodiversity mainstreaming across agricultural sectors in Europe and Central Asia
Virtual Event, 21/06/2023 - 22/06/2023

The interlinked climate change and biodiversity-related crises top the charts of short-term and long-term risks the world will face over the next decade. The restoration, conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity are critical to addressing global environmental challenges, building our ...

11/ 4

2023

Inception Workshop on Carbon Sequestration through Climate Investment in Forests and Rangelands
Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Hybrid Event, 11/04/2023

On Tuesday 11 April FAO is organizing the launch of the FAO-GCF project “Carbon Sequestration through climate investment in forests and rangelands (CS-FOR) in the Kyrgyz Republic”.

24/ 5

2023

Nature-based solutions related to apiculture and wild pollinators
Qakh (Azerbaijan), Hybrid Event, 24/05/2023

The FAO Subregional Office for Central Asia is organizing a hybrid event “Nature-based solutions related to apiculture and wild pollinators” on 24 May 2023.

27/ 3

2023

Localizing SDGs: Agrifood systems transformation as a key accelerator
Virtual Event, 27/03/2023

2030 is seven years away and we are far from achieving the SDGs. We are at risk of not achieving in full the targets related to agrifood systems by 2030. Climate change, along with other drivers and crises, is already undermining the recent progress made in promoting sustainable rural livelihoods and fighting against all forms of malnutrition. To continue ensuring food security and nutrition...

13/ 3

2023

17/3

2023

Regional Training on Strengthening seed system management in South European and Central Asian countries
Yerevan (Armenia), 13/03/2023 - 17/03/2023

In the framework of the regional programme on seed system and the project titled “Creating enabling environments for enhanced climate resilience in agriculture”, FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia is organizing a regional training between 13-17 March 2023 Yerevan, Armenia, to strengthen seed system management in South European and Central Asia c...

14/ 12

2022

Green Agriculture and Science and Innovation: Main scientific findings in Europe and Central Asia
Virtual Event, 14/12/2022

Agrifood systems in Europe and Central Asia are deeply affected by geopolitical and economic uncertainties which impact both directly and indirectly on food supply chains, and have repercussions in food markets; moreover, they are threatened by environmental, human-driven long-term stresses, such as climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss and natural resource degradation.

5/ 12

2022

6/12

2022

Regional Webinar Series on Soil Protection as part of World Soil Day 2022
Hybrid Event, 05/12/2022 - 06/12/2022

Let’s celebrate World Soil Day 2022! As soils provide most of our food and are central to our planet’s life-support system. Without healthy soils, we cannot sustain healthy lives.

30/ 9

2021

Regional workshop for Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems in Azerbaijan
Hybrid Event, 30/09/2021

In the frame of the European Union-funded project on the development of sustainable and inclusive local agrifood systems in north-west region of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Azerbaijan embarked on identifying potential agricultural heritage systems in its north-west region. 

16/ 11

2021

17/11

2021

Regional dialogue on biodiversity mainstreaming across agricultural sectors in Europe and Central Asia
Hybrid Event, 16/11/2021 - 17/11/2021

11:00 – 13:00 (CET) FAO supports member countries in mainstreaming biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in the agriculture sector. Following the first global multi-stakeholder dialogue, and in line with its mandate to coordinate a collective effort, FAO convenes the first regional dialogue on biodiversity mainstreaming for Europe and Central Asia.

22/ 2

2022

FAO’s 2nd Regional Workshop: The Road Ahead after COP26: Enhancing Targets and Compliance with Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) for Agriculture and LULUCF
Hybrid Event, 22/02/2022

10.00-13.00 (CET) The FAO Regional Workshop, “The Road Ahead after COP26: Enhancing Targets and Compliance with Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) for Agriculture and LULUCF” aims to support the developing states and emerging economies of the Europe a...