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Avian flu: global sharing of virus samples OFFLU, the OIE/FAO joint network of expertise on avian influenza, will systematically make avian influenza virus sequences accessible to the entire scientific community. 01/08/2006 (source FAO)
Latin America and the Caribbean to use more wood from planted forests More than 60 percent of the sustainable wood supply in Latin America and the Caribbean will come from planted forests by the year 2020. 01/08/2006 (source FAO)
FAO revamps its statistical system The FAO announced today the launch of its new FAOSTAT system. It is the first revision of the system in more than a decade. 27/07/2006 (source FAO)
Food crisis looming in Somalia Poor rains and military tension are deepening the crisis in Somalia, endangering the food security of 2.1 million. 26/07/2006 (source FAO)
Conflict leading to major food crisis in Lebanon Rising insecurity and damage to roads and bridges have interrupted the food supply chain in Lebanon, which relies on food imports for around 90 percent of its cereal needs. The escalating conflict is also likely to disrupt the country's main cereal harvest. 25/07/2006 (source FAO)
Global early warning system for animal diseases transmissible to humans A global early warning system for animal diseases transmissible to humans was launched by FAO, OIE and WHO last week. 24/07/2006 (source FAO)
Sharp decline forecast for world cereal stocks World cereal stocks are expected to decline sharply in 2006, due to a slight decrease in global cereal output and significant growth in utilization, according to FAO's latest forecast. 19/07/2006 (source FAO)
USDA and FAO launch Animal Disease Crisis Management Centre The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will send four veterinary specialists to Rome to assist the FAO in launching a new animal disease crisis management centre. 14/07/2006 (source FAO)
New agreement governing high-seas fishing in Indian Ocean Six countries and the European Community have signed a multilateral agreement on the management of fishing in a vast area of the high seas in the South Indian Ocean. 12/07/2006 (source FAO)
Codex Alimentarius Commission adopts new standards The Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted new standards on the maximum allowable levels of a number of key contaminants and food additives in order to protect the health of consumers. 11/07/2006 (source FAO)
Avian influenza still expanding in Africa Avian influenza has been largely checked in Western Europe and much of Southeast Asia apart from Indonesia. But it is still expanding in Africa and will remain a threat for years to come, FAO Deputy Director-General David Harcharik reports. 10/07/2006 (source FAO)
Developing countries shaping future of world agriculture trade A new joint OECD-FAO report says productivity growth in the world's poorest nations is not keeping pace with the food needs of their rising populations. 04/07/2006 (source FAO)
Helping developing countries make better use of biotechnology tools Developing countries should be enabled to fully exploit biotechnology tools. A new FAO publication explains why and how. 03/07/2006 (source FAO)
Ensuring safer food for everyone The Codex Alimentarius Commission meets from 3-7 July 2006 to consider the adoption of proposals to better protect consumers from disease-causing organisms and substances by reducing their contamination of foods. 29/06/2006 (source FAO)
Unequal access to natural resources Female-headed households in Ethiopia’s Southern Tigray region have little access to tree and plant resources, which are vital for their livelihoods. 27/06/2006 (source FAO)
Finding good news about Latin American and Caribbean forests Latin American and Caribbean countries gathered here in the Dominican Republic for a high-level FAO meeting on forests have launched a new initiative to collect case studies of successful forest management from around the region so that they can be replicated elsewhere. 26/06/2006 (source FAO)
Greening our cities Urban areas are projected to account for nearly all population growth over the next 25 years. According to FAO, urban forestry initiatives can help offset the environmental, economic and health risks posed by rapid urbanization and poverty. 22/06/2006 (source FAO)
Meeting acknowledges the crucial role of plant genetic resources The first meeting of the governing body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture was marked by a broad consensus among participating countries. 21/06/2006 (source FAO)
Wetland ecosystems conservation is essential “Conservation of wetland ecosystems is essential not only for sustainable fresh water supply but also for preserving biodiversity and ensuring other services necessary to the health and well-being of people around the world,” FAO Assistant Director-General Alexander Müller said. 15/06/2006 (source FAO)
Strong backing for treaty on plant genetic resources for agriculture Ministers of Agriculture responsible for implementing the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture have unanimously approved a Ministerial Declaration. 14/06/2006 (source FAO)
Higher FAO profile in Europe The FAO Regional Conference for Europe underlined the key role of rural development driven by agriculture in achieving food security and combating poverty. 14/06/2006 (source FAO)
Basic education for rural people needs US$1.64 billion a year Donors would have to give US$1.64 billion per year to meet basic education needs for rural people in low-income countries. 13/06/2006 (source FAO)
First meeting of treaty on genetic resources for agriculture opens today Representatives of 100 countries gathered today in the Spanish capital for a ceremony inaugurating the first-ever meeting of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, promoted by FAO. 12/06/2006 (source FAO)
Dr Diouf calls for economic growth in rural areas of Balkans and CIS The European Union can play a fundamental role in improving the welfare of the countries of the Balkans and the Community of Independent States (CIS), especially of their rural populations. 08/06/2006 (source FAO)
High and volatile food prices in the months to come Recent months have seen commodity markets as a whole becoming more volatile with a steady upward trend in prices, according to the June edition of FAO’s Food Outlook report. 08/06/2006 (source FAO)
Genetic resources in agriculture: the key to food security The signature of the Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture marked a major step towards guaranteeing food security in the world. 08/06/2006 (source FAO)
FAO calls for over $5 million to help Indonesian earthquake victims FAO has called for $5.6 million to help farmers affected by the earthquake on the Indonesian island of Java quickly resume farming and livestock production activities. 05/06/2006 (source FAO)
FAO meeting on fish trade winds down The 10th meeting of the FAO Sub-Committee on Fish Trade was marked by vigorous debate regarding the increasingly complex challenges of responsibly managing the globe-spanning fish trade sector. 05/06/2006 (source FAO)
Farm investment helps slow migration More investment by governments in agriculture and the right farm policies would help keep rural populations on the land and reduce migration, according to FAO. 02/06/2006 (source FAO)
Wild birds’ role in HPAI crisis confirmed Wild bird migrations play a role in transporting HPAI, but the virus is mainly spread by legal and illegal poultry trade. 01/06/2006 (source FAO)
Free as a bird – or under surveillance? FAO plans to monitor wild birds' migrations for advance warning of HPAI. 01/06/2006 (source FAO)
Fish exports by developing countries help combat hunger, but better management needed Booming fish exports are having a positive effect on food security in the developing world, but good management of fisheries by developing nations is essential if they are going to continue to benefit over the longer term. 30/05/2006 (source FAO)
Senior appointments at FAO FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf today announced three senior appointments to the Organization at the level of Assistant Director-General. 29/05/2006 (source FAO)
Caribbean ministers pledge to reduce rural poverty Additional resources are needed for educating and training rural people in the Caribbean. 26/05/2006 (source FAO)
FAO/OIE conference to tackle bird flu controversy A scientific conference organized by FAO and OIE in Rome will examine the role of wild birds in spreading highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu. 25/05/2006 (source FAO)
Towards a common market in Africa Two projects, financed by the Italian government, will promote food security in five countries in eastern and southern Africa. 25/05/2006 (source FAO)
Eastern Europe still facing challenges in forest management Eastern European countries are facing many challenges following the restitution of forests from the State to their previous owners. 24/05/2006 (source FAO)
FAO unveils new partnership for improved monitoring of world fisheries Today FAO unveiled a new partnership for improved reporting on the state of world fish stocks during a UN meeting on international fisheries policy being held this week at UN headquarters in New York. 23/05/2006 (source FAO)
Closer FAO-OIE cooperation to combat health scourges "Collaboration between FAO and the OIE is a dynamic process that is under constant evolution,” according to Dr Jacques Diouf. 22/05/2006 (source FAO)
Avian flu an expensive long-term emergency The current avian flu crisis is not only an immediate, short-term problem, it is likely to be a continuing emergency that will last several years, says Joseph Domenech, FAO’s Chief Veterinary Officer. 19/05/2006 (source FAO)
FAO and China forge strategic alliance to improve food security in developing countries China expressed its intent today to send at least 3 000 experts and technicians over a six-year period to help small-scale farmers and fishers in developing countries improve their productivity. 18/05/2006 (source FAO)
Right agriculture policies can promote healthy diets The right agricultural policies can promote healthy diets, but Europeans are in some ways eating worse now than in the sixties and obesity is fast becoming a problem in developing countries too. 17/05/2006 (source FAO)
New investment initiative aims to improve fisheries management and reduce poverty in Africa A new partnership aimed at restoring depleted fisheries and reducing poverty in Africa was launched today by the African Union, the World Bank, WWF and FAO. 16/05/2006 (source FAO)
Severe, prolonged drought threatens food security in western China Several provinces in western and northern China are facing food shortages due to a prolonged drought that has left hundreds of reservoirs dry and tens of thousands of wells either dry or nearly empty. 15/05/2006 (source FAO)
Education for rural people in the Caribbean International attention turns towards the Caribbean region on the eve of a regional conference on education for rural people. 12/05/2006 (source FAO)
Literacy and education in fishing communities More accessible and better oriented literacy and education programmes for fishing communities will improve their livelihoods while diversifying their income-generating activities, according to a new FAO's report. 09/05/2006 (source FAO)
FAO to foil rat attack in Tuvalu Tuvalu, one of the world's smallest countries, is facing a plague of coconut-eating rats. But help is on the way from FAO. 08/05/2006 (source FAO)
39 countries worldwide face food crises Worldwide, 39 countries are in need of external food assistance -- the majority required for drought-affected and chronically food insecure populations in southern and eastern Africa, according to a new FAO report. 05/05/2006 (source FAO)
100 countries have ratified the international plant genetic resources treaty Iran has ratified the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, FAO announced today. 05/05/2006 (source FAO)
Stimulating growth through agricultural investment A two-day meeting opening today in Berlin will explore ways to ensure that agricultural investments in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia yield optimal results. 04/05/2006 (source FAO)
Concern at vanishing bananas Diminishing numbers of wild bananas in India are causing concern at FAO. 03/05/2006 (source FAO)
Persistent food insecurity and livelihood crisis in the Horn of Africa Over 15 million people are at risk of losing their livelihoods due to the severe drought currently affecting countries in the Horn of Africa. 26/04/2006 (source FAO)
FAO sees major shift to bioenergy Rocketing oil prices and growing environmental constraints are some of the forces driving for a major international switch to renewable bioenergy sources. 25/04/2006 (source FAO)
"Rice is life": International Rice Commission meets in Peru The International Rice Commission will hold its 21st Session, 3-5 May 2006, in Chiclayo, Peru. Discussion will focus on ways to promote production, preservation, distribution and consumption of rice, the main staple of more than half the world's population. 24/04/2006 (source FAO)
Launch of a new version of FAO GeoNetwork New version of FAO's spatial data catalogue, FAO GeoNetwork, launched today. 24/04/2006 (source FAO)
Ministers of Agriculture of Latin America and the Caribbean meet to strengthen regional integration At FAO's Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, debates will focus on actions to reduce hunger and poverty and to help create greater opportunities for development. 20/04/2006 (source FAO)
The next thing: camel milk Demand for camel milk is booming all over Africa and the Near East. FAO sees this as a bright opportunity for nomad herdsmen. 13/04/2006 (source FAO)
The Russian Federation joins FAO The Russian Federation has taken up membership of FAO by sending a letter accepting the Constitution of the Organization to Director-General Jacques Diouf. 13/04/2006 (source FAO)
Asia-Pacific leading the world in forest plantation development The Asia-Pacific region recorded the highest rate of forest plantation in the world over the past five years. 13/04/2006 (source FAO)
Susceptibility of animal species to the H5N1 Asian strain The OIE and FAO confirm that the animal species playing a role in the transmission and spread of highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza virus are essentially domestic and wild birds. 13/04/2006 (source FAO)
2005, a record-breaking year for the world rice economy 2005 was a record-breaking year for the world rice economy. Global paddy production reached 628 million tonnes, according to FAO. 07/04/2006 (source FAO)
Information for action The EC-FAO Food Security Information for Action Programme, which provides 20 countries subject to chronic food insecurity, protracted crises or undergoing rapid economic transformation with the tools to formulate more effective anti-hunger policies, has launched a new Web site. 07/04/2006 (source FAO)
Bird flu outbreaks continue in Africa, Asia, Europe and Near East Despite the fact that bird flu has now been confirmed in 45 countries on three continents, efforts to combat the disease on poultry farms are slowly proving successful on many fronts. 06/04/2006 (source FAO)
Hope on the horizon for Democratic Republic of Congo With nearly 80 percent of its population trapped in extreme poverty and more than 70 percent undernourished, the DR Congo faces enormous challenges. Agriculture will play a key role in the country’s future economic growth and poverty reduction efforts. 05/04/2006 (source FAO)
Net rate of forest loss in Africa second highest in the world The net rate of forest lost in Africa is the second highest in the world, while the continent leads the globe in the frequency of forest fires, FAO told the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission at a meeting this week in Mozambique. 31/03/2006 (source FAO)
Inferior boatbuilding undermines tsunami recovery FAO today urged authorities in tsunami-affected countries to redouble their efforts to ensure that fishing boats built to replace those destroyed during the 2004 disaster meet minimum safety standards. 28/03/2006 (source FAO)
Mad cow disease on the wane worldwide Cases of Bovine Spongiform Encepalopathy (BSE) or “mad cow disease” worldwide are declining, according to FAO. 23/03/2006 (source FAO)
Overfishing alert system: a challenge for electronic communication Bringing information closer to the people who really need it is one of the aims of a meeting at FAO headquarters from 20 to 22 March 2006. 20/03/2006 (source FAO)
Ninety-six governments recognize ‘essential role’ of agrarian reform and rural development in fight against poverty Representatives of 96 FAO member countries participating in the International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development in Porto Alegre, Brazil have recognized “the essential role of agrarian reform and rural development in promoting sustainable development” of the planet. 10/03/2006 (source FAO)
Agrarian Reform: a way out of hunger and poverty for millions of impoverished small farmers At the dawn of the third millennium, three-quarters of the world's 852 million men and women suffering from hunger are found in rural areas, and depend on agriculture for their survival. 01/03/2006 (source FAO)
Japanese, UN to support Ethiopian Tsetse fly control campaign The Japanese Government and the United Nations have committed over $1.7 million to a joint IAEA-FAO project to remove the tsetse fly and the diseases it transmits from the Southern Rift Valley in Ethiopia. 01/03/2006 (source FAO)
Escalating bird flu crisis jeopardizes global poultry trade prospects Recent avian influenza outbreaks in Europe, the Middle East and Africa have caused dramatic swings in poultry consumption, increased trade bans and sharp price declines. 28/02/2006 (source FAO)
Wider use of fishing rights needed to safeguard fishery resources At a major international conference on fisheries in Australia, FAO is underscoring the need for governments to establish clear and fair rules for managing access to fishery resources. 27/02/2006 (source FAO)
Bird flu virus advances in Nigeria The deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus continues to spread in poultry in Nigeria and could cause a regional disaster. 22/02/2006 (source FAO)
New FAO website helps foresters cope with invasive species FAO has created a new online database and website about invasive species which can negatively impact forests as a tool to help foresters deal with this growing problem. 20/02/2006 (source FAO)
Bird flu: concern grows over possible spread in West Africa Growing concern that the bird flu virus H5N1 may spread to West Africa. The effects would be devastating. 17/02/2006 (source FAO)
6.7 million people in Sudan need food aid despite good harvest While Sudan is likely to reap a reasonably good harvest in 2005-2006, almost 7 million people will require food aid this year, according to FAO and WFP. 17/02/2006 (source FAO)
Drought-affected farmers and pastoralists in Ethiopia face severe food crisis Farmers and herders in drought-stricken regions of Ethiopia are facing severe food shortages, with pre-famine conditions being reported in some areas. 15/02/2006 (source FAO)
Bird flu: early detection and control measures highly effective in Italy FAO today qualified as “extremely effective” the control measures taken by Italian authorities following the discovery of the highly pathogenic avian flu virus in Sicily. 13/02/2006 (source FAO)
Avian flu in Africa: FAO/OIE urge quick action FAO and the OIE today called upon veterinary authorities in Nigeria to immediately close down poultry markets throughout Kaduna and Kano states and neighbouring regions. 10/02/2006 (source FAO)
A success story from Patagonia Pest control using low environmental impact technology has marked up another success with the eradication of the Mediterranean fruit fly in Argentina's Patagonia region using a method known as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). 09/02/2006 (source FAO)
High bird flu risk in Africa after outbreak in Nigeria The bird flu outbreak in Nigeria confirms the fears expressed by FAO that African countries are facing a high risk of becoming infected by the virus. 08/02/2006 (source FAO)
Industrial livestock production near cities often damages the environment Industrial livestock production in developing countries often causes severe environmental damages. 02/02/2006 (source FAO)
FAO’s Regional Conference for Africa opens Amid continued threats to Africa’s food security, FAO convened the 24th Regional Conference for Africa today. 30/01/2006 (source FAO)
FAO appeals for $40 million for agricultural relief and recovery activities in Sudan FAO today called for $40 million to support its agricultural relief and recovery activities in Sudan in 2006, stressing that humanitarian assistance needs to be coupled with longer-term development aid to ensure lasting peace in the country. 30/01/2006 (source FAO)
Microfinance crucial to alleviating poverty in forest communities Giving poor forest-dwellers access to basic financial services is a key element in helping them improve their living standards, according to a new FAO publication. 27/01/2006 (source FAO)
Bird flu virus could spill over to Africa and Europe in springtime The avian influenza virus could become entrenched in the Black Sea, Caucasus and Near East regions through trade and movement of people and animals and could be further spread by migratory birds particularly coming from Africa in the spring, FAO arned today. 18/01/2006 (source FAO)
Agriculture remains principal activity of rural people Despite progress in income diversification of rural households, agriculture is still the principal activity of rural households in developing countries, says FAO. 16/01/2006 (source FAO)
FAO warns bird flu virus could become endemic in Turkey The highly pathogenic Avian Influenza virus H5N1 could become endemic in Turkey, FAO warned. 11/01/2006 (source FAO)
Millions of people are on the brink of starvation in the Horn of Africa Millions of people are on the brink of starvation in the Horn of Africa due to recent severe droughts coupled with the effects of past and ongoing conflicts. 06/01/2006 (source FAO)
Sustainable recovery requires long-term effort in tsunami zone Alex Jones, FAO's post-tsunami operations coordinator, voices optimism about the tsunami relief effort one year on, but stresses that sustainable recovery requires a five- to ten-year effort. 15/12/2005 (source FAO)
Many areas in Aceh still critical as tsunami anniversary approaches With the first anniversary of the devastating tsunami fast approaching, FAO warned that many areas on the west coast of Aceh, Indonesia, were still in a critical condition. 15/12/2005 (source FAO)
FAO tells WTO meeting that trade liberalization can promote food security Agricultural trade and trade liberalization can unlock the potential of the food and agriculture sector to stimulate economic growth and promote food security, FAO said at the WTO meeting in Hong Kong. 15/12/2005 (source FAO)
Serious concern about food situation in southern Africa Food insecurity in southern Africa is of serious concern despite a bumper maize harvest in South Africa. 13/12/2005 (source FAO)
Incentives to curb deforestation needed to counter climate change Noting that deforestation accounts for 25% of all man-made emissions of CO2, FAO has offered to provide countries with data and technical advice to explore ways to create financial incentives for reducing forest loss in the developing world. 09/12/2005 (source FAO)
Improving food safety in Latin America and the Caribbean Urgent measures are needed across Latin America and the Caribbean to improve the availability of safe food, both to reduce the level of disease and to facilitate the export of the region’s numerous food products to the rest of the world. 09/12/2005 (source FAO)
New FAO report on agricultural trade and poverty FAO issues annual report on the State of Food and Agriculture 2005, warning that the benefits of trade reform may not reach the poor unless urgent complementary policies and investments are made. 07/12/2005 (source FAO)
FAO and the EC present online Export Helpdesk FAO and the European Commission today presented the EC’s Online Export Helpdesk for developing countries to FAO member countries at FAO’s Rome headquarters. 07/12/2005 (source FAO)
No bird flu risk for consumers from properly cooked poultry and eggs Chicken and other poultry are safe to eat if cooked properly, according to a joint FAO/WHO statement. 05/12/2005 (source FAO)
FAO and the International Day of Disabled Persons Working towards greater inclusion of people with disabilities in agricultural production is a must. 02/12/2005 (source FAO)
Governments making progress in curbing illegal logging New research by FAO and the International Tropical Timber Organization suggests that governments are becoming increasingly innovative -- and effective -- in tackling illegal logging. 01/12/2005 (source FAO)
Viet Nam sending experts to help improve food security in Mali Viet Nam will send 12 farming experts and technicians to Mali as part of an agreement between the two countries, the City of Montreuil, France, and FAO. 01/12/2005 (source FAO)
Schools for life: training HIV/AIDS orphans in sub-Saharan Africa FAO is addressing the needs of Africa's future farmers, many of whom have lost parents to HIV/AIDS, through schools that teach agricultural techniques and life skills to help these children improve their often desperate living conditions. 01/12/2005 (source FAO)
FAO calls for over $96 million for urgent agricultural relief in 14 emergencies FAO today launched an appeal for more than $96 million to provide agricultural relief in the coming year in 14 countries and regions suffering from devastating human or natural disasters. 30/11/2005 (source FAO)
FAO warns against killing wild birds to fight bird flu FAO today warned against culls of wild birds in cities in countries affected by bird flu, saying this could distract attention from the campaign to contain the disease among poultry. 29/11/2005 (source FAO)
Failure to educate children perpetuates hunger and poverty Top priority should be given to improving access to quality education in rural areas. 28/11/2005 (source FAO)
FAO’S 2006-2007 budget set at $765.7 million by its governing Conference FAO's governing Conference today voted the food agency a two-year budget appropriation of $765.7 million for its work in 2006–2007. 26/11/2005 (source FAO)
FAO and Brazil prepare an International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development FAO will convene an International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development in Porto Alegre, Brazil, 7-10 March 2006, to identify sustainable rural development experiences that can contribute to rural poverty reduction. 24/11/2005 (source FAO)
Action needed to help small islands meet Millennium Development Goals Seven Heads of State and Government and some 60 Agriculture Ministers and government officials representing 30 countries today issued a declaration in support of Small Island Developing States. 24/11/2005 (source FAO)
Hunger slows progress towards Millennium Development Goals Hunger and malnutrition are killing nearly six million children each year, FAO said in a new edition of its hunger report. 22/11/2005 (source FAO)
Better nutrition education helps reduce malnutrition While eating well is vital for a healthy and active life, many people do not eat well because of poverty and a lack of nutrition education, according to FAO. 22/11/2005 (source FAO)
Gender equality - an issue of democracy Sweden's Agriculture Minister Ann-Christin Nykvist says access by women to land, credit and other factors of production is “vital to their prospects of overcoming poverty.” 22/11/2005 (source FAO)
FAO Director-General calls for new reform package FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf today called on Member States to support reform proposals aimed at flattening the bureaucracy of the Organization and making it more flexible and responsive to members’ needs. 21/11/2005 (source FAO)
FAO awards recognize contributions to fight against hunger FAO today honoured a group of three journalists, one partner organization and two of its own field personnel with awards in recognition of their contributions to the effort to stamp out world hunger. 19/11/2005 (source FAO)
Building political will to end hunger The key to reducing hunger is not merely calling for more political will, but building it, said David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World, a US-based citizens' movement to end hunger, during the opening ceremony of FAO’s governing Conference today. 19/11/2005 (source FAO)
Dr Jacques Diouf wins third six-year term as FAO Director-General Dr Jacques Diouf of Senegal was re-elected to a third six-year term as Director-General of FAO today, receiving a total of 137 votes out of 165 votes cast. 19/11/2005 (source FAO)
Small Island Developing States conference opens A Ministerial Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Low-Lying Coastal Countries opened today at FAO. 18/11/2005 (source FAO)
FAO Conference to review reform proposals Agriculture ministers from FAO’s Member nations will meet (19-26 November) to review wide-ranging reform proposals for the UN agency. 17/11/2005 (source FAO)
Over $440 million in livestock, crop and irrigation system losses in quake-hit Pakistan Direct and indirect losses to crops, livestock and irrigation infrastructure as a result of last month’s earthquake in northern Pakistan total more than $440 million, according to an FAO assessment released today. 16/11/2005 (source FAO)
FAO at the Second World Summit on the Information Society The rural digital divide is isolating almost one billion of the poorest people who are unable to participate in the global information society, FAO said on the eve of the World Summit on the Information Society, Phase II. 15/11/2005 (source FAO)
Deforestation continues at an alarming rate Each year about 13 million hectares of the world’s forests are lost due to deforestation, but the rate of net forest loss is slowing down, FAO announced today. 14/11/2005 (source FAO)
Improving rural people's skills Improving the skills of rural people will have a positive impact on livelihoods in rural areas of developing countries. 10/11/2005 (source FAO)
Global influenza meeting sets key action steps A global meeting has identified key components of a global action plan to control avian influenza in animals and simultaneously limit the threat of a human influenza pandemic. 09/11/2005 (source FAO)
New global agricultural census under way More than 100 countries are participating in FAO's 2010 round of agricultural censuses covering the period 2006-2015, the UN agency announced today. 08/11/2005 (source FAO)
Combating bird flu in animals needs more decisive action More decisive action must be taken by affected countries, civil society, the private sector and the international community to stop bird flu in animals, FAO said today. 07/11/2005 (source FAO)
Global code for sustainable fishing turns 10 Today marks the 10th anniversary of the adoption of FAO's Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, aimed at safeguarding the contributions fisheries and aquaculture make to food security and poverty alleviation. 31/10/2005 (source FAO)
How to Stop Bird Flu FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf comments on how to stop bird flu. 28/10/2005 (source FAO)
Banning poultry imports should be based on established rules FAO today expressed concern about general and pre-emptive bans on poultry imports adopted in response to avian influenza. 27/10/2005 (source FAO)
Helping Indonesia fight bird flu at source in poultry FAO will assemble an emergency team of experts in Indonesia to help the country embark on a new phase of the battle against avian influenza at source in poultry, the UN agency announced today. 24/10/2005 (source FAO)
Africa may face serious bird flu risk After the confirmed outbreaks of avian influenza in Romania and Turkey, the risk of bird flu spreading to the Middle East and African countries has markedly increased, FAO warned today. 19/10/2005 (source FAO)
FAO and Brazil collaborate to promote school nutrition and food security Brazil and FAO will work together on school nutrition programmes in poor countries, according to a multilateral agreement signed in Rome today. 17/10/2005 (source FAO)
Diouf: FAO must adapt to change FAO "must adapt to the changes of the last 60 years if it is to rise to new challenges and profit from emerging opportunities," FAO Director-General Dr Jacques Diouf said today during an official ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of FAO. 17/10/2005 (source FAO)
FAO celebrates World Food Day At World Food Day celebration FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf said the world has the resources and technology today to produce sufficient quantities of food. 16/10/2005 (source FAO)
Celebrating World Food Day around the world More than 150 countries around the world will observe World Food Day with special events, seminars, conferences, contests and media campaigns. 14/10/2005 (source FAO)
Reaching the unreached in the West Bank and Gaza Strip Better information on the number and the state of poor people without access to adequate food in the West Bank and Gaza Strip will help reduce the number of food insecure people there, FAO said today. 13/10/2005 (source FAO)
FAO appeals for $7 million to assist farm families affected by Pakistan earthquake FAO has launched an appeal for $7 million to help farm families affected by the earthquake in northern Pakistan resume their agricultural activities over the next six months. 12/10/2005 (source FAO)
Many of the 450 million waged agricultural workers live in dire conditions Many of the 450 million waged agricultural workers, the largest labour force in the world, are suffering from some of the highest incidences of poverty and hunger. 06/10/2005 (source FAO)
Give us the means to farm, say people of Darfur The will to return to farming and livestock-raising is present in war-ravaged Darfur, but for hundreds of thousands of displaced persons the means are still not in place. 05/10/2005 (source FAO)
South Africa donates $21.5 million to FAO and WFP South Africa will donate $21.5 million to FAO and WFP to support the agencies' operations in southern Africa. 04/10/2005 (source FAO)
Africans meet to improve food safety on the continent Food-borne diseases are a serious threat to people in Africa, especially Africans already weakened from devastating conditions such as malaria and HIV/AIDS. 03/10/2005 (source FAO)
Disturbing the soil as little as possible Conservation agriculture holds considerable promise for farmers in sub-Saharan Africa because it can control soil erosion, reverse land degradation, give more stable yields and reduce labour and fuel needs. 03/10/2005 (source FAO)
World cereal output revised downward FAO's forecast for world cereal production output in 2005 has been revised slightly downward, according to the latest Food Outlook. 29/09/2005 (source FAO)
Italian President Ciampi receives FAO Agricola Medal Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi was today presented with FAO's Agricola Medal in recognition of his strong support for the fight against world hunger and poverty. 28/09/2005 (source FAO)
24 sub-Saharan African countries face food emergencies FAO's Africa Report says a total of 24 countries in sub-Saharan Africa are facing food emergencies caused by problems ranging from civil strife and war to adverse weather and economic crisis. 28/09/2005 (source FAO)
Global strategy to fight bird flu in animals faces serious funding gap The global strategy for the control of avian influenza in animals remains largely under-funded despite important contributions pledged by some donors. 26/09/2005 (source FAO)
FAO concerned about bird flu spread in Indonesia FAO is concerned about the spread of avian influenza in Indonesia and has offered further assistance to control the virus in the country. 22/09/2005 (source FAO)
Spurring economic growth through agricultural investment Michael Wales, Principal Adviser of FAO's Investment Centre, explains why investment in rural areas is key to tackling poverty and talks about one initiative that is working to ensure that agriculture is front and centre on the poverty alleviation agenda. 20/09/2005 (source FAO)
World experts agree on agricultural development blueprint for 21st century FAO issues a consensus by top world experts in agriculture, the environment and economics calling on governments to give priority to expenditures on public goods for rural areas. 19/09/2005 (source FAO)
FAO to move fast down reform track FAO's Executive head, Dr Jacques Diouf, announced today that he was determined that FAO should move fast down the track of UN reform. 15/09/2005 (source FAO)
FAO warns world cannot afford hunger As the UN Summit in New York opens, FAO is urging governments and the private sector to adequately fund actions and initiatives that reduce hunger through rural development and reduction of rural poverty while widening direct access to food. 14/09/2005 (source FAO)
Ministers agree to make education in rural areas a top priority Ministers of education, agriculture, fisheries and rural development and high-level officials from eleven African countries today agreed to make education in rural areas a top priority. 09/09/2005 (source FAO)
Selling forest products to improve livelihoods Poor communities in the Gambia are now earning regular income by selling forest products, thanks to an FAO programme. 07/09/2005 (source FAO)
Education for the rural poor is crucial in Africa Education is the most effective way to empower the rural poor to get out of poverty and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. 06/09/2005 (source FAO)
New regulations for Mediterranean fishing take force Today 24 members of FAO's General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean began jointly enforcing new fishing regulations aimed at safeguarding the fishery resources of the inland sea. 05/09/2005 (source FAO)
Foot-and-mouth disease remains a constant threat to Europe The European Commission will step up its fight against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) by providing €4.5 million to the FAO European Commission for the Control of FMD. 01/09/2005 (source FAO)
Wild birds expected to spread bird flu virus further The deadly strain of avian influenza that has hit several countries in Asia is likely to be carried along the flyways of wild water birds to the Middle East, Europe, South Asia and Africa. 31/08/2005 (source FAO)
Forest fires for commercial land clearing should stop Large forest fires in South-East Asia have caused serious health and environmental problems, in particular choking haze in the region. 30/08/2005 (source FAO)
Averting a hidden food crisis in Africa In this Q&A interview, FAO Assistant Director-General for Fisheries Ichiro Nomura discusses the emerging fish production crisis in African fisheries and what should be done about it. 22/08/2005 (source FAO)
Malawi facing serious food crisis Malawi is facing its worst food crisis in more than a decade, the result of a combination of factors, including drought, floods, consecutive poor harvests, endemic poverty and the effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. 11/08/2005 (source FAO)
Mission to Yemen reveals extent of tsunami damage Fishing communities in Yemen were much more seriously affected by the tsunami than originally thought, with damages totalling around US$2.2 million and 2 000 families affected. 10/08/2005 (source FAO)
Rebuilding Iraq's collapsed seed industry Iraq's seed industry has collapsed and the country is currently not able to meet farmers' needs for improved crop varieties. 08/08/2005 (source FAO)
Agriculture and intercultural dialogue 'Agriculture and intercultural dialogue' is the theme of this year's World Food Day, celebrated every year to mark the day on which FAO was founded in 1945. 05/08/2005 (source FAO)
Significant progress in Afghan locust battle The government of Afghanistan, working closely with FAO, has largely succeeded in clearing crop-devouring Moroccan locusts from cultivated areas in the agriculture-dependent country. 03/08/2005 (source FAO)
Funding shortfall could worsen food crisis in Niger FAO today renewed its appeal for $4 million for emergency agricultural assistance to respond to the ongoing food crisis in Niger. 02/08/2005 (source FAO)
Mediterranean fisheries: as stocks decline, management improves With fish stocks declining, Mediterranean countries have begun to work more closely together to responsibly manage shared fishery resources. 26/07/2005 (source FAO)
Reducing forest fires by training local communities Mediterranean countries could save lives and billions of euros if they better trained and mobilized communities in forest fire prevention and control. 25/07/2005 (source FAO)
Locust emergency not yet over Intensive and wide-ranging locust monitoring and control operations need to be continued in the next months in frontline countries in the Sahel. 21/07/2005 (source FAO)
Around 70 000 farming families receive seeds and tools in North Darfur The rainy season has just begun in North Darfur, and around 70 000 vulnerable rural families will be able to plant with seeds and agricultural tools provided by FAO. 20/07/2005 (source FAO)
Niger struggles with worsening food situation Niger is facing a worsening food crisis due to limited food supply and increasingly high prices for local food staples. 18/07/2005 (source FAO)
World tea production reaches new highs World tea production continued to reach new highs in 2004, when output grew by 2 percent to reach an estimated 3.2 million tonnes. 14/07/2005 (source FAO)
Biotechnology in forestry gaining ground Research and applications of biotechnology in forestry are advancing rapidly, according to a new FAO study. 13/07/2005 (source FAO)
Codex adopts more than 20 food standards The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) adopted more than 20 food standards at its annual meeting, the food standards body announced today. Among the measures adopted are guidelines on vitamin and mineral food supplements and a code of practice to minimize and contain antimicrobial resistance. 11/07/2005 (source FAO)
The Kyoto process: an additional opportunity for the poorest countries? Natural resource experts recently met in Rome to discuss ways of giving poor countries incentives under the Kyoto Protocol to improve the use of fuelwood and reduce deforestation, loss of vegetation cover and land degradation. (source FAO)
Achieving Millennium Development Goals requires increased funding FAO, IFAD and WFP call for increased funding for agriculture and rural development and better aid coordination if the goal of reducing by half the percentage of poor and hungry people in the world is to be met by 2015. 08/07/2005 (source FAO)
International conference draws up strategy to fight avian influenza International animal and human health experts today unveiled a plan designed to reduce the risk of the H5N1 avian influenza virus spreading from poultry to humans and appealed for funds to make it work. 06/07/2005 (source FAO)
UN food safety and quality standards commission meets The Codex Alimentarius Commission is meeting this week to adopt a number of new or revised food safety and quality standards that will safeguard the health of consumers worldwide and improve food quality and agricultural trade opportunities. 04/07/2005 (source FAO)
Bird flu situation in Asia remains critical The bird flu situation in many Asian countries remains critical and requires more attention by affected countries and the international community. 04/07/2005 (source FAO)
Good news on the fight against hunger The number of chronically undernourished people in the world remains stubbornly high, but in this interview, Andrew MacMillan, Director of FAO's Field Operations Division, explains why he believes the tide is turning in the fight against hunger. 01/07/2005 (source FAO)
School gardens: education and nutrition go together School gardens can be a powerful tool to improve the quality of nutrition and education of children and their families if they are integrated with national agricultural, nutrition and education programmes. 30/06/2005 (source FAO)
Environmentally friendly weapon against locusts proves effective For the first time, an environmentally friendly weapon against Desert Locusts has been successfully tested under large-scale field conditions. 28/06/2005 (source FAO)
Beyond food aid in emergencies Enabling people in emergencies to realize their right to food and ensure the nutritional well-being of their families should be an important objective of relief and rehabilitation efforts. 27/06/2005 (source FAO)
Desert Locust: FAO urges increased vigilance Survey operations should be intensified in Sudan and neighbouring Eritrea, as several locust swarms have moved east across Sudan from Darfour towards the Gedaref area and the border with Eritrea. 24/06/2005 (source FAO)
Building back better livelihoods in the tsunami zone Six months after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami, strong coordination between governments, donors and aid organizations is essential to help build back better livelihoods for those hardest hit by the disaster. 23/06/2005 (source FAO)
FAO warns Indonesian fishermen about sub-standard boats Fishermen in Sumatra who survived the tsunami are having their lives put at risk by the delivery of poorly constructed boats to replace the craft they lost in the December 26 disaster, FAO warned today. 22/06/2005 (source FAO)
FAO forecasts slight drop in cereal trade FAO's Food Outlooks says world cereal trade is set to decline slightly in the 2005/06 marketing season, as global cereal trade in 2005/06 is forecast at 230 million tonnes, or 1.3 percent below the previous season. 22/06/2005 (source FAO)
Agriculture export competition will intensify, with rising share of trade by developing countries Global competition among exporters of wheat, rice, oilseeds, sugar and livestock is expected to intensify over the next ten years among both developed and developing countries, according to the OECD's latest Agricultural Outlook. 21/06/2005 (source FAO)
West African food crisis looming The consequences of last year's drought and locust invasion continue to threaten the livelihoods and access to food of millions of farmers and herders in West Africa. 20/06/2005 (source FAO)
Education for rural people, a crucial step towards the Millennium Goals Education programmes that address the specific needs of rural communities are essential if eradicating extreme poverty and hunger is to be achieved by 2015. 15/06/2005 (source FAO)
Joining forces to halve hunger Eva Clayton, FAO Assistant Director-General and Special Advisor on World Food Summit Follow-up, talks about the International Alliance against Hunger and its role in sustaining momentum towards achieving the Summit and UN Millennium Development Goals. 14/06/2005 (source FAO)
Protracted hunger season expected in Eritrea Five years of severe drought in Eritrea, coupled with the ongoing border dispute with Ethiopia, have exhausted coping mechanisms, contributing to widespread poverty and food insecurity. 09/06/2005 (source FAO)
Making a mark in information management As part of an ongoing e-learning initiative, FAO has released the second in a series of training modules aimed at improving the management and sharing of agricultural information. 08/06/2005 (source FAO)
Cattle ranching is encroaching on forests in Latin America Expanding livestock production is one of the main drivers of the destruction of tropical rain forests in Latin America. 08/06/2005 (source FAO)
Many of the world's poorest people depend on fish In this interview, Ichiro Nomura, FAO Assistant-Director General for Fisheries, discusses how fishing and aquaculture help millions of people around the world by supporting development, alleviating poverty, and putting food on the table. 07/06/2005 (source FAO)
New project to improve information on trends in world fisheries FAO has launched a new project to help countries around the world improve information on trends in world fisheries. 07/06/2005 (source FAO)
Farming in urban areas can boost food security With the world's cities growing rapidly, farming in and around urban areas needs to play a bigger role in feeding city populations. 03/06/2005 (source FAO)
Restoring veterinary services in Iraq FAO is working to restore veterinary services in Iraq, which have been severely damaged after years of neglect and conflict, to protect farm animals and humans from epidemic diseases. 31/05/2005 (source FAO)
Cameroon signs landmark declaration on food security In a first agreement of its kind, Cameroon's local authorities have agreed to join forces in combating food insecurity in the country. 27/05/2005 (source FAO)
Climate change could increase the number of hungry people Climate change threatens to increase the number of the world's hungry by reducing the area of land available for farming in developing countries FAO said this week. 26/05/2005 (source FAO)
Policy-making made easier FAO has just launched EASYPol, a new online repository of downloadable resources aimed at improving access to FAO materials on policy formulation and implementation. 26/05/2005 (source FAO)
Supporting the peace process in Sudan Agricultural relief and rehabilitation operations are crucial to support the smooth transition to a sustainable peace in southern Sudan, according to FAO. 25/05/2005 (source FAO)
New strategy needed for Millennium Development Goals FAO today proposed a new four-pronged approach to help developing countries achieve the UN's Millennium Development Goals. 24/05/2005 (source FAO)
Armed conflicts leading cause of world hunger emergencies Armed conflicts are now the leading cause of world hunger with HIV/AIDS and climate change not far behind, says an FAO report presented today at a meeting of the Committee on World Food Security. 23/05/2005 (source FAO)
Afghanistan: 14 000 grain silos to be distributed to farmers Around 14 000 grain storage silos will be distributed to farmers in nine provinces of Afghanistan, thanks to a new FAO project funded by the Government of Germany. 12/05/2005 (source FAO)
One plot of land, twice the food This interview with FAO expert Matthias Halwart looks at the ways that combined rice/fish production contributes to food security in Asia - and what potential the practice holds for other regions. 11/05/2005 (source FAO)
Worsening food situation in parts of the Sahel Damage from the 2004 drought and locust infestations is aggravating the food situation in parts of the Sahel. 10/05/2005 (source FAO)
Training HIV/AIDS orphans in sub-Saharan Africa AIDS orphans in Africa are being helped to improve their often desperate living conditions by learning agricultural techniques in specially designed schools. 09/05/2005 (source FAO)
Success stories in forest management Strengthening property rights, paying attention to people's livelihoods and developing appropriate institutional structures are keys to effective forest management. 09/05/2005 (source FAO)
Biotechnology: Several developing countries now have well-developed programmes Several developing countries now have well-developed biotechnology programmes and are approaching the leading edge of biotechnology applications, according to a new FAO assessment. 06/05/2005 (source FAO)
FAO assisting war-displaced in Uganda FAO will provide 94 000 vulnerable households in internally displaced persons camps in northern Uganda with seeds, tools and agricultural training to help reduce their dependence on food aid. 05/05/2005 (source FAO)
Promoting responsible fishing in the South West Indian Ocean A new FAO regional fisheries body has been established to promote responsible and sustainable fishing in the southwestern Indian Ocean. 04/05/2005 (source FAO)
Around 30 000 pastoralists could face famine in drought-stricken Djibouti FAO has launched an urgent appeal for nearly $4 million to provide veterinary services, food and water for livestock in Djibouti, where worsening drought conditions are threatening around 30 000 pastoralists with famine. 29/04/2005 (source FAO)
Educating rural people is essential for achieving the Millennium Goals For the first time, a tool kit including a wide range of teaching and learning tools for the education of rural people is available on the Internet. 26/04/2005 (source FAO)
Bird flu outbreak in North Korea contained The recent outbreak of avian influenza in North Korea has been successfully contained. FAO urged the country to continue surveillance to ensure that no residual infection remains. 25/04/2005 (source FAO)
Tunisia sending farming experts to Togo Tunisia is sending 20 farming experts and technicians to Togo to work with local experts, as part of an agreement signed today between the two countries and FAO. 22/04/2005 (source FAO)
North Korea applies new knowledge in water management North Korea is applying knowledge gained from a forestry project on sustainable development of upland water catchments and use of marginal agricultural land to help reduce soil erosion, protect natural resources and increase agricultural output. 20/04/2005 (source FAO)
Bioenergy, key to the fight against hunger Agriculture and forestry could become leading sources of bioenergy, a key element in the fight against hunger and poverty. 14/04/2005 (source FAO)
Election of FAO Director-General - Dr Diouf sole candidate The incumbent Director-General of FAO, Dr Jacques Diouf, will be the sole candidate in the November 2005 election for head of the UN agency, FAO announced today. 13/04/2005 (source FAO)
Benefits and risks of globalized livestock markets Globalized livestock markets can increase national income and improve nutrition, but they are also posing potential risks, FAO said. 13/04/2005 (source FAO)
23 sub-Saharan African countries need food assistance In sub-Saharan Africa, 23 countries will need food assistance in the coming months, FAO said today in its Africa Report. 13/04/2005 (source FAO)
Committee on Commodity Problems opens at FAO The Committee on Commodity Problems opened its 65th session at FAO headquarters yesterday, the food agency announced today amid concern over low producer prices for many of the worlds major agricultural commodities, such as coffee, sugar, meat, oils and cotton. 12/04/2005 (source FAO)
Saving coconuts in Southeast Asia and Pacific islands A tiny parasitic wasp may help save the coconut industries of a number of countries in the Asia and Pacific region from a destructive pest that feeds on the developing leaves of the coconut palm. 12/04/2005 (source FAO)
Indian coffee-growers portrayed by Salgado Coinciding with a meeting of FAO's Committee on Commodity Problems (11-13 April) the Organization yesterday hosted an exhibition by famed photographer Sebastião Salgado. 11/04/2005 (source FAO)
Bird flu: North Korea appeals for assistance North Korea has formally appealed to the international community for assistance in its fight against bird flu. 11/04/2005 (source FAO)
Statement of FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf on the death of Pope John Paul II His Holiness Pope John Paul II was a moral reference not only for Christians but people of all faiths. He stood courageously for justice and equity, for freedom and equality. He always defended the poor and the weak. 07/04/2005 (source FAO)
FAO forecasts good world cereal crop for 2005 FAO's April Food Outlook forecasts a good world cereal crop for for 2005. At 1 971 million tonnes, including rice in milled terms, that is above the average of the past five years, but down slightly on last year's record level. 07/04/2005 (source FAO)
Bird flu: FAO sends experts to North Korea FAO has sent a veterinary expert to North Korea to obtain further information on the extent of the current avian influenza outbreak in the country. 30/03/2005 (source FAO)
New website on forest invasive species A new website on forest invasive species in Africa will enable countries to share information on outbreaks and on ways to tackle them. 24/03/2005 (source FAO)
Ecolabelling schemes to support sustainable fisheries get a boost Efforts to ensure the sustainability of the world's marine fisheries got a boost earlier this month when FAO's Committee of Fisheries adopted a set of guidelines for ecolabelling fish products. 23/03/2005 (source FAO)
'Water for Life' Decade: Appropriate policies needed to make better use of water "Appropriate policies and good governance practices are needed to encourage and guide farmers to make better use of water," FAO said in a message on the eve of the International Decade for Action 'Water for Life 2005-2015' 21/03/2005 (source FAO)
Economic viability, critical requirement for sustainable forest management Economic viability, including the environmental and social benefits deriving from forests, is a pre-requisite for wider adoption of sustainable forest management practices, FAO said today. 17/03/2005 (source FAO)
Food shortages in Burundi deepen Following Burundi's recent vote for a new constitution to end more than ten years of conflict, FAO and WFP said today that two million Burundians would need emergency food aid this year, 40 percent more than last year. 16/03/2005 (source FAO)
Forest fires, tsunami, deforestation and Millennium Goals International cooperation on forest fires, combating deforestation, and the role of forests in post-tsunami rehabilitation and in achieving the Millennium Development Goals are among the issues being discussed at high-level meetings at FAO this week. 15/03/2005 (source FAO)
Governments call for responsible post-tsunami reconstruction of fisheries, pledge to combat illegal fishing Representatives of 121 countries meeting at FAO have issued declarations stressing the need to rebuild fisheries and aquaculture in tsunami-affected countries in a responsible manner and pledging new action in the fight against illegal fishing. 14/03/2005 (source FAO)
Nobel Peace laureate Wangari Maathai to address high-level FAO meeting on forests Wangari Maathai, who received the Nobel Peace prize last year for her dedication to the conservation of the environment by planting trees all over Africa, will address a high-level FAO meeting on forests tomorrow in Rome. 14/03/2005 (source FAO)
Morocco fielding experts to help improve food security in Niger Morocco will send 27 farming experts and technicians to Niger to work with local experts, as part of an agreement between the two countries, the Islamic Development Bank and FAO. 10/03/2005 (source FAO)
FAO Committee on Fisheries debates management challenges, old and new FAO's Committee on Fisheries is meeting this week in Rome to discuss challenges to the responsible management of world fisheries and explore ways to strengthen international cooperation on meeting those challenges. 08/03/2005 (source FAO)
Depleted fish stocks require recovery efforts Rebuilding depleted fish stocks is a "challenging necessity" according to a new FAO report, The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture. The report looks at a number of other issues related to world fisheries, including their contribution to food security and poverty alleviation and emerging management challenges. 07/03/2005 (source FAO)
Acrylamide levels in food called "health concern" by UN expert committee A summary report released today by a Joint FAO-WHO Expert Committee warns that the unintentional contaminant acrylamide in certain foods may be of public heath concern. 04/03/2005 (source FAO)
AIDS in fishing communities: a serious problem, frequently overlooked In countries with high rates of HIV/AIDS infection, fishing communities are often among the groups at highest risk for infection, yet are frequently overlooked by prevention, treatment, and risk mitigation programmes. 03/03/2005 (source FAO)
Promoting equitable and sustainable use of Nile water resources The ten countries within the Nile River basin will benefit from better access to information on the availability, use and development potential of the Nile resources they share, thanks to a new project aimed at improving water resource management in the region. 02/03/2005 (source FAO)
Maximizing investments in agriculture in Central and Eastern Europe An integrated approach to agricultural investment emphasizing greater public-private partnership is key to agricultural development in Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, according to FAO and other sponsors of a meeting opening in Rome today. 28/02/2005 (source FAO)
Some 36 countries worldwide face serious food shortages, says FAO report New FAO reports says 36 countries need external food assistance and 11 face unfavourable prospects for current crops. The report, Foodcrops and Shortages, says civil strife and adverse weather are the predominate causes. 28/02/2005 (source FAO)
FAO launches French Alliance Against Hunger at Paris agriculture fair At the invitation of the French Ministry of Agriculture, the FAO will be present again this year at the Paris agriculture fair. 25/02/2005 (source FAO)
Leading veterinary experts of 28 countries call for more vigorous bird flu control An international conference on avian influenza in Asia has expressed major concern about the bird flu situation in the region. 25/02/2005 (source FAO)
Philippine experts to help Pacific Islands improve access to food The Philippines will send 28 experts and technicians to six Pacific Island countries as part of a new South-South Cooperation agreement signed yesterday. 23/02/2005 (source FAO)
Fighting bird flu at its origin to prevent a human flu pandemic Containing the bird flu virus to the greatest extent possible and reducing the risk of infection in poultry and farmed free-range ducks will help to prevent a global human influenza pandemic. 23/02/2005 (source FAO)
Mediterranean fisheries commission to be headquartered in Rome FAO's General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean has selected Rome as the site of its new headquarters. 22/02/2005 (source FAO)
Tsunami relief: Build-up of excessive fishing capacity must be avoided A harmful build-up of excessive fishing capacity must be avoided in the countries hit by the tsunami, FAO warned today. 21/02/2005 (source FAO)
More publishers provide access to scientific information for developing country researchers The AGORA initiative to provide free or low-cost scientific information to researchers and students in developing countries, now in its second year, has seen a significant increase in user participation as more publishers get involved. 18/02/2005 (source FAO)
Tsunami: Losses in fisheries and aquaculture climb to $520 million Updated damage assessments from southern Asia are shedding new light on the scope of the losses suffered by fisherfolk there as a result of the tsunami -- and the financial costs involved in rehabilitating the region's all-important fisheries and aquaculture sectors. 17/02/2005 (source FAO)
Donors commit around US$20.5 million in response to tsunami appeal FAO announced today that it has received firm donor commitments of around US$20.5 million to finance early recovery assistance for the millions of fisherfolk and farmers affected by the disaster. 16/02/2005 (source FAO)
Kyoto Protocol - important tool for sustainable development The entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol and its provisions today will not only oblige industrialized countries to reduce their emission of greenhouse gases, but also enhance sustainable development in developing countries. 16/02/2005 (source FAO)
Agriculture commodity prices continue long-term decline The long-term downward trend in agricultural commodity prices threatens the food security of hundreds of millions of people in some of the world's poorest developing countries where the sale of commodities is often the only source of cash, according to The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets 2004. 15/02/2005 (source FAO)
Recent cases of "mad cow disease" are isolated incidents The few cases of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or 'mad cow disease' in cattle in Canada and the US should not cause panic among consumers and producers, the FAO said in a statement today. Nor should the single case of BSE recently confirmed in a goat in France. 07/02/2005 (source FAO)
Dr. Diouf urges African countries to give high priority to agricultural research and development "The current levels of undernourishment and the alarming trends provide ample justification for giving high priority to agricultural development in Africa," FAO Director-General Dr. Jacques Diouf told the Dakar Agricole Forum today. 04/02/2005 (source FAO)
New strategies needed to secure food and safeguard ecosystems Countries should urgently take action to develop integrated policies that reconcile the water needs of agriculture and ecosystems, according to an international conference that ended in The Hague today. 04/02/2005 (source FAO)
Sri Lankan fisher folk receive first donation The first of a US$380 000 consignment of boat repair kits to help restore the livelihoods of thousands of Sri Lankan fishermen was handed over to the country's fisheries minister Chandrasena Wijesinghe today. 03/02/2005 (source FAO)
Bird flu control measures working in worst hit province of Viet Nam While bird flu continues to rage across much of Viet Nam this season, strenuously applied control measures seem to be working in Tien Giang province, one of the most severely hit provinces in the country. 01/02/2005 (source FAO)
Bird flu remains a constant threat and could worsen The new wave of Avian Influenza outbreaks in Viet Nam and Thailand clearly shows that the avian virus remains endemic in Asia and that affected countries need to do more to keep it under control, FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said today in a joint statement. 01/02/2005 (source FAO)
Strategic investments in water, agriculture and ecosystems needed to reduce hunger and poverty Investments in agriculture and ecosystems in poor countries are essential to reduce by half the number of hungry people by 2015. 31/01/2005 (source FAO)
Bumper harvest in Ethiopia, but more than 2 million people need food aid Ethiopia is enjoying a bumper harvest from the 2004 main season now projected to be more than 24 percent above the previous year's revised estimate of 11.49 million tonnes and 21 percent above the average for the past five years, according to a joint UN report issued today. 28/01/2005 (source FAO)
Monitoring the environmental effects of GM crops A consultation of experts convened at FAO recommended that any responsible deployment of genetically modified crops needs to comprise the whole technology development process, from the pre-release risk assessment, to biosafety considerations and post release monitoring. 27/01/2005 (source FAO)
Reconciling the water needs of agriculture and ecosystems Agriculture and natural ecosystems are increasingly competing for often scarce water resources, FAO said. Reconciling the water needs of the two sectors is essential to ensure food production and safeguard natural resources. 26/01/2005 (source FAO)
Experts emphasize forests' contribution to the MDGs Forests contribute directly to reducing extreme poverty and hunger and ensuring environmental sustainability, two of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a panel of forestry experts invited to the FAO has concluded. 25/01/2005 (source FAO)
Atlas on tsunami damaged areas in Asia An FAO-produced Atlas on areas affected by the 26 December 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia has proven to be very useful to FAO teams and to Italian and other European officials and non-governmental organizations working in the devastated zones. 24/01/2005 (source FAO)
Rehabilitation of tsunami affected mangroves needed 19 January 2005 - Rehabilitation of severely affected mangroves would help speed up the recovery process from the tsunami, but large-scale planting should be undertaken with caution, FAO said today. 19/01/2005 (source FAO)
UN agencies call for immediate action to achieve Millennium Goals Three Rome-based UN agencies today called for immediate action by developed and developing countries to ensure that the goals of the 2000 Millennium Summit are achieved. 18/01/2005 (source FAO)
FAO to hold special conference on Small Island Developing States FAO will convene a special conference in November 2005 to review the Mauritius Strategy to further Implement the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States. 17/01/2005 (source FAO)
Rumours of unsafe fish in tsunami zone unfounded There is no evidence that fish- and seafood-borne illnesses have increased in Asian countries hit by the tsunami, according to a new FAO assessment. 14/01/2005 (source FAO)
Tsunamis destroyed tens of thousands of fishing boats The tsunami waves have had a devastating impact on the fisheries sector in many countries of the Indian Ocean, FAO said. 13/01/2005 (source FAO)
Tsunami affected countries face severe local food security problems Local communities severely hit by the tsunami disaster will face severe food security problems in the short and long term because parents and relatives have been lost, livelihood assets have been destroyed, and sources of income no longer exist, FAO said today. 11/01/2005 (source FAO)
Desert locust: FAO recommends continuing control actions and vigilance Despite recent improvements, the Desert Locust situation remains serious in Western Africa where vigilance and intensive control operations are still needed, according to FAO. 07/01/2005 (source FAO)
FAO calls for $26 million to help tsunami victims FAO today launched an urgent appeal for $26 million for farmers and fisher folk hit by the South-Asian tsunami disaster. Funds are needed to finance emergency rehabilitation projects over the next six months. 06/01/2005 (source FAO)
FAO Initiative on Soaring Food Prices High food prices are not only a threat for millions of poor people, they are also an opportunity for small farmers to increase production - but they need help. Urgent action is needed on two fronts - making food accessible to the most vulnerable, and helping small producers raise their output and earn more. FAO's Initiative on Soaring Food Prices has simple but effective goals: distribute seeds, fertilizer and other farming supplies to smallholder farmers... (source FAO)
Nuclear Power Worldwide: Status and Outlook Nuclear power, in step with growing global demand for energy, will continue expanding into the next two decades, says the 2008 edition of Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power Estimates for the Period to 2030, just published by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 11 September 2008 (Source: iaea)
Update: Tests Confirm No Radioactivity Release to Environment from IAEA Seibersdorf Lab After 3 August Incident Independent analysis has confirmed that there was no release of radioactive material to the environment following an incident at the IAEA´s Seibersdorf Laboratory on 3 August. 29 August 2008 (Source: iaea)
Incident Involving Radioactive Material at IAEA Safeguards Laboratory - No Radioactivity Released to Environment Pressure build-up in a small sealed sample bottle in a storage safe resulted in plutonium contamination of a storage room at about 02:30 today at the IAEA´s Safeguards Analytical Laboratory in Seibersdorf. 3 August 2008 (Source: iaea)
Draft India Safeguards Agreement Circulated to IAEA Board Members At the request of the Government of India, the IAEA Secretariat circulated to Members of the IAEA Board of Governors for their consideration the draft of an Agreement with the Government of India for the Application of Safeguards to Civilian Nuclear Facilities. 9 July 2008 (Source: iaea)
The 10th International Barley Genetics Symposium (IBGS) The 10th International Barley Genetics Symposium will be held at Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt, from April 5 to 10. The Symposium has been jointly organized by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), and Bibliotheca Alexandrina with the support of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and OPEC Fund for International Development. The Symposium is the most important forum for barley scientists and the industry worldwide, where results and current trends of barley research and production are presented and discussed, and future strategies are decided. At Alexandria, scientists will deliberate on issues like global barley production, improvement of crop quality, impact of climate change and global warming on barley crop and new technologies to overcome these challenges. It will also cover a diverse range of applied and basic research on barley. Barley is cultivated in over 56 million hectares of land the world over and it is the fourth most planted cereal crop. Over the last few years there has been a steady increase in barley and scientists believe that with the increasing global temperatures and the challenges posed by climate change, barley cultivation would expand even more, as this crop grows in warm areas. “Barley can help people survive climate change and global warming, it is the crop of the poor people,” says Dr. Stefania Grando, ICARDA’s Principal Barley Breeder and the Chair of the local organizing committee of the Symposium. Besides being the staple food for the poor in parts of North Africa, Central and South Asia, Barley is grown as a cash crop in many developing countries and is used for malt production all over the world. It is for the first time that the Symposium is being held in Africa and the Middle East Region. The First International Barley Genetics Symposium was held in Wageningen, the Netherlands in 1963. In the past it was held five times in Europe (the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Czech Republic), twice in North America (USA and Canada), and once each in Australia and Asia (Japan). The last Symposium was held on 20-26 June 2004 in Brno (Czech Republic), and was attended by about 350 delegates from all over the world. 2 April 2008 (Source ICARDA)
Expert Consultation on "Developing a Small Ruminant Research and Development Strategy for Rural Poverty Reduction" An Expert Consultation on "Developing a Small Ruminant Research and Development Strategy for Rural Poverty Reduction in Non-Tropical Dry Areas of the Near East and North Africa" was held at Cairo, Egypt, 9 - 11 March 2008. The participants included senior representatives of IFAD, ILRI, FAO, University of Florida/GL-CRSP, World Bank, CIRAD, INRA, ACSAD, AAAID, and Swiss College of Agriculture, ICARDA, NARS and Universities from Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Syria, and Turkey. Over 60 participants attended the consultation. Dr Ayman Abu Haddid President of ARC Egypt inaugurated the consultation and welcomed the participants. Representatives of ICARDA, IFAD and ILRI also made presentations at the opening session. Presentations were made by invited key speakers and a number of key issues emerged during the discussions. During the three days key small issues relating to ruminants research and development priority were identified for the NENA region. Participants were then grouped into three key areas (pastoral system, mixed crop-livestock system, and intensive or intensifying system) for detailed discussions. Research questions, available results so far, dissemination pathways and partners for various R & D issues and future priority research areas were identified. Closing statements were made by Dr Mahmoud Solh, Director General of ICARDA, Mr Tawfiq El Zabri on behalf of IFAD, Dr Ayman Abu Hadid, President of ARC Egypt and Dr Shirley Tarawali Director PLE of ILRI. The outputs of this expert consultation and a follow up electronic consultation (Challenge Dialogue with experts from institutions and countries in the NENA region that could not participate)) will be used to develop a small ruminant research and development strategy in the NENA region. 27 March 2008 (Source ICARDA)
Syrian National Workshop on the Implementation of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture A National Workshop on the Implementation of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (IT-PGRFA) was held at ICARDA on 17 March. The workshop was jointly organized by the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture, the Secretariat of the Governing Body of the International Treaty, Bioversity and ICARDA. Inaugurating the workshop, Dr Mohamed Walid Tawil, Director General of GCSAR Syria, said that Syria has keen interest in implementing the treaties. "Syria was one of the first countries to be involved in the formulation of the treaty," he said. Dr Tawil said that climate change, drought, urbanization, encroachment, and movement of farmers to high yielding varieties are posing a serious risk to agriculture in general and plant genetic resources in particular. "GCSAR has scientific staff doing research with available resources," Dr Tawil said urging upon international organizations to help GCSAR, especially through scholarships, grants and training to conserve plant genetic resources. He stressed on the need for more projects on human resource development so that GCSAR could follow up on the treaty. Dr Shakeel Bhatti, Secretary of the Governing Body of the International Treaty at FAO, thanked the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture, Bioversity and ICARDA for organizing the workshop. He said that this was the first such national workshop with a leading contracting party and the Centers of the CGIAR. "Syria has been one of the leading contracting parties in implementing the Treaty and had progressed much further than others in developing draft implementing measures, including national legislation for the Treaty. We recognize and commend the high value of the work you have done in Syria," Dr Bhatti said. Speaking at the inaugural session, Dr Mahmoud Sold, Director General of ICARDA, said that plant genetic resources were extremely important for sustainable agriculture and food security therefore all parties to the treaty have to work together for its success. "ICARDA in collaboration with FAO, Bioversity and regional organizations has been very active in promoting the signing and the implementation of different international conventions and agreements in CWANA countries and is participating in the development processes of the national strategies and policies related to biodiversity conservation, particularly agobiodiversity," Dr Solh said. Dr Solh said today, most countries in CWANA region are signatories of the Treaty and some countries like Jordan and Syria were among the first countries in the World which ratified the Treaty and are within the 40 countries which allowed it to enter into force. "ICARDA has also been very active in promoting regional integration and worked with ACSAD and AOAD to develop a program for an Arab Genebank, and with CAC countries to develop a regional PGR database. Through the use of SMTA for its dispatched material, ICARDA is contributing to the better understanding of the Treaty and the Multi-lateral System," Dr Solh added. Dr Emile Frison, Director General of Bioversity International, said that plant genetic resources were indeed very important as they formed the basis of sustainable agriculture. In the face of challenges posed by climate change these resources would be more important in the future. "Genetic resources are useful only if they are used. We have to keep in mind that these resources will be beneficial if the farmers use it directly," Dr Frison said, underscoring the need for building the basis to enhance international cooperation in agriculture. 27 March 2008 (Source ICARDA)
Scientists join hands to Combat Stem Rust threat to wheat production Scientists and researchers from all over the world met at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) to standardize protocols and strengthen international collaboration to combat Stem Rust, a devastating wheat disease that is quickly spreading across the Near East and West Asia region. The two-day "Stem Rust Baseline Survey Workshop on Standardizing Protocols and International Collaboration" was held at ICARDA, Aleppo, Syria on 10 and11 March. The workshop was jointly organized by ICARDA, CIMMYT, FAO and Cornell University, USA under the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative. Some 49 scientists and researchers from national agriculture research systems of Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Kenya, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay and Yemen, and various international research institutes attended the workshop. Agriculture scientists are endeavoring to stop the spread of the devastating fungus, which has now been found in Iran. Historically, sporadic epidemics of stem rust, also known as black rust, have plagued wheat production. An outbreak of the disease in North America in the 1950s destroyed up to 40% of the spring wheat crop. Stem rust is once again on the move. In 1999, scientists discovered a new strain of the fungus in Uganda, now known as Ug99 that has defeated the resistance in varieties that were resistant to stem rust in the past. Over the past few years, Ug99 has infected crops in North and East African countries and in early 2006 it was found in Yemen. Dr Mahmoud Solh, ICARDA Director General, inaugurating the workshop underscored the need for a concerted global effort to contain the spread of the devastating stem rust, Ug99. "We all know that Ug99 is capable of causing enormous losses to wheat production and food security in the Horn of Africa, the Nile Valley countries, West Asia, North Africa and even worldwide unless it is controlled through deployment of wheat varieties with durable rust resistance, and other means to combat the spread of disease. This effort is beyond the capacity of any one country or any one institution. This certainly needs a global effort," Dr Solh said. The Director General said that the biggest casualty thus far had been in Ethiopia, Kenya and Yemen. "However, the race has now arrived in Iran, a country with 6 million hectares of wheat. The pathogen is certainly moving quicker than originally anticipated. Therefore, surveillance, monitoring and tracking of this new strain is essential for establishing an integrated strategy for control of the disease." Dr Solh said. Dr Solh pointed out that Ug99 was confirmed in Yemen as had been predicted based on the knowledge of earlier movements of Yellow Rust. "We have the conviction that Ug99 will spread beyond Iran faster and may take additional pathways. With the long distance travel of rust spores, it is only a matter of time until Ug99 spreads further into the Near East, the Mediterranean Region including N. Africa and South Europe and possibly Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asian countries, South Asia and East Asia," he cautioned. It is certainly a serious threat to global food security. In October last year scientists and researchers had met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to establish an early warning system to check the spread of stem rust. Based on their deliberations researchers had set up a survey system that would help them identify spread of the fungus. 20 March 2008 (Source ICARDA)
Institutions Join Hands to Combat Wheat Stem Rust Threat to Food Security Scientists and researchers from various institutions all over the world met at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) to standardize protocols and strengthen international collaboration to combat Stem Rust, a devastating wheat disease that is quickly spreading across the Near East and West Asia region. The two-day "Stem Rust Baseline Survey Workshop on Standardizing Protocols and International Collaboration" was held at ICARDA, Aleppo, Syria on 10 and11 March. The workshop was jointly organized by ICARDA, CIMMYT, FAO and Cornell University, USA under the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative. Some 49 scientists and researchers from national agriculture research systems of Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Kenya, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay and Yemen, and various international research institutes attended the workshop. Agriculture scientists are endeavoring to stop the spread of the devastating fungus, which has now been found in Iran. Historically, sporadic epidemics of stem rust, also known as black rust, have plagued wheat production. An outbreak of the disease in North America in the 1950s destroyed up to 40% of the spring wheat crop. Stem rust is once again on the move. In 1999, scientists discovered a new strain of the fungus in Uganda, now known as Ug99 that has defeated the resistance in varieties that were resistant to stem rust in the past. Over the past few years, Ug99 has infected crops in North and East African countries and in early 2006 it was found in Yemen. Dr Mahmoud Solh, ICARDA Director General, inaugurating the workshop underscored the need for a concerted global effort to contain the spread of the devastating stem rust, Ug99. "We all know that Ug99 is capable of causing enormous losses to wheat production and food security in the Horn of Africa, the Nile Valley countries, West Asia, North Africa and even worldwide unless it is controlled through deployment of wheat varieties with durable rust resistance, and other means to combat the spread of disease. This effort is beyond the capacity of any one country or any one institution. This certainly needs a global effort," Dr Solh said. The Director General said that the biggest casualty thus far had been in Ethiopia, Kenya and Yemen. "However, the race has now arrived in Iran, a country with 6 million hectares of wheat. The pathogen is certainly moving quicker than originally anticipated. Therefore, surveillance, monitoring and tracking of this new strain is essential for establishing an integrated strategy for control of the disease." Dr Solh said. Dr Solh pointed out that Ug99 was confirmed in Yemen as had been predicted based on the knowledge of earlier movements of Yellow Rust. "We have the conviction that Ug99 will spread beyond Iran faster and may take additional pathways. With the long distance travel of rust spores, it is only a matter of time until Ug99 spreads further into the Near East, the Mediterranean Region including N. Africa and South Europe and possibly Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asian countries, South Asia and East Asia," he cautioned. It is certainly a serious threat to global food security. In October last year scientists and researchers had met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to establish an early warning system to check the spread of stem rust. Based on their deliberations researchers had set up a survey system that would help them identify spread of the fungus. 20 March 2008 (Source ICARDA)
Workshop on "A framework for sustainable management for Jabbul agro-ecosystem" The Jabbul Sabkha, a saline wetland surrounded by agricultural villages in north-western Syria, is located 40 km southeast of Aleppo city. The natural resources of the Sabkhat Al-Jabbul - including the Jabbul salt, surface water, groundwater and shoreline rangelands - have always been considered a significant economic asset. In the recent decades, the burgeoning population and the accompanied economic development have exerted enormous pressure on the natural resources base and posed a serious threat to the fragile Jabbul ecosystem. Environmental pollution, hunting and fishing, land degradation, land-use changes and lack of awareness about the wetlands' values and institutional complexity have all compounded the problem. ICARDA and its partners have worked together for several years to combat desertification, mitigate the effects of drought, and reduce poverty in marginal dry areas. ICARDA's earlier focus on purely technological interventions has given way to integrated natural resource management (INRM) - which includes new technologies as well as ecosystem analysis and active engagement of all stakeholders at each stage in the research-for-development process. It was with this in mind that ICARDA became involved with the Jabbul Agro-Ecosystem (JAES). To find sustainable solutions for JAES, an innovative approach was used, involving all relevant stakeholder institutions such as the Governorate of Aleppo, the concerned Ministries, research organizations, NGOs and most important, the local communities. ICARDA's role has been to provide scientific support to analyze the complexities of this dynamic agro-ecosystem, and to facilitate the multi-stakeholder, interdisciplinary process. A core group of Jabbul enthusiasts worked together via the newly established JAES Consultative Committee and subject-focused task forces. This collaboration resulted in a framework for sustainable agro-ecosystem management of JAES. ICARDA in collaboration with the Governorate of Aleppo organized a two-day workshop on "A framework for sustainable management for Jabbul agro-ecosystem" on February 13 and 14. On the first day the participants visited the Jabbul and had animated interactions with the leaders of the communities inhabiting the area, and between different technical experts. On the second day, all the stakeholders actively participated in the framework workshop held at the Governorate of Aleppo. H.E. Mr Tamer Fuad Al-Hajjeh, the Governor of Aleppo, in his opening remarks at the workshop, said that the Governorate had recognized the utmost importance of the Jabbul agro-ecosystem for biodiversity conservation and for sustainable and healthy rural development since June 2005. He pledged full support to the sustainable development of this fragile ecosystem. Dr Theib Oweis, Director of ICARDA's Integrated Water and Land Management Program (IWLMP), representing the Director General of ICARDA, stressed the importance of the JAES and pledged ICARDA's support for its sustainable management. He commended the initiative of the multiple-stakeholders' commitment for the sustainable management of this unique agro-ecosystem, and wished that it should evolve as a model for future ecosystem research and development in the entire region. Dr Francis Turkelboom, ICARDA's Land Management Scientist and the Coordinator of the JAES Framework Project, presented the theme of the workshop and initiated the discussions. The participants discussed at length on issues such as public awareness and resource mobilization strategies, environmental management, legal enforcement of existing bans, new legislations, socioeconomic development, and the need for further research. About 60 participants including policy-makers, donors, community leaders, scientists and experts of executive agencies representing various ministries attended the workshop. 20 March 2008 (Source ICARDA)
Svalbard Global Seed Vault Inaugurated The Svalbard Global Seed Vault opened on 26 February on a remote island in the Arctic Circle, receiving inaugural shipments of 100 million seeds that originated in over 100 countries. The Svarlbard Seed Vault is a joint initiative by the Norwegian Government (which funded the construction), the Global Crop Diversity Trust and the Nordic Gene Bank. At the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister of Norway, H.E. Mr Jens Stoltenberg, unlocked the vault and, together with the African Nobel Peace Prize-winning environmentalist, H.E. Ms Wangari Maathai, he placed the first seeds in the vault. The President of the European Commission, H.E. Mr José Manuel Barroso, and a host of dignitaries and agriculture experts from around the globe deposited seeds during the ceremony. A variety of Norwegian musicians and choirs also performed in the opening ceremony held 130 metres deep inside the frozen mountain. Dr Ken Street represented ICARDA at the inaugural function and placed the first box containing ICARDA germplasm in the vault. ICARDA's entire collection will be placed in the vault, in stages, over the next 3 years. The first shipment arrived in Svarlbard on 14 February. It contained 30,567 accessions: around 1.2 tons of seeds of our mandate crops, securely packed in specially designed boxes. Dr Street was interviewed by several international media organizations like NBC and documentary makers who are developing feature length films on the importance of genetic resource conservation. Built near the village of Longyearbyen on the island of Spitsbergen, the vault at its inception contains 268,000 distinct samples of seeds-each one originating from a different farm or field in the world. Each sample may contain hundreds of seeds or more. In all, the shipments of seeds secured in the vault today weighed approximately 10 tonnes, filling 676 boxes. With the deposits ranging from unique varieties of major African and Asian food staples such as maize, rice, wheat, cowpea, and sorghum to European and South American varieties of eggplant, lettuce, barley, and potato, the first deposits into the seed vault represent the most comprehensive and diverse collection of food crop seeds being held anywhere in the world. The opening of the seed vault is part of an unprecedented effort to protect the planet's rapidly diminishing biodiversity. The diversity of our crops is essential for food production, yet it is being lost. This "fail-safe" facility, dug deep into the frozen rock of an Arctic mountain, will secure for centuries, or longer, hundreds of millions of seeds representing every important crop variety available in the world today. As well as protecting against the daily loss of diversity, the vault could also prove indispensable for restarting agricultural production at the regional or global level in the wake of a natural or man- made disaster. Contingencies for climate change have been worked into the plan. Even in the worst-case scenarios of global warming, the vault rooms will remain naturally frozen for up to 200 years. "With climate change and other forces threatening the diversity of life that sustains our planet, Norway is proud to be playing a central role in creating a facility capable of protecting what are not just seeds, but the fundamental building blocks of human civilization," said Norway's Prime Minister Jans Stoltenberg. "Crop diversity will soon prove to be out most potent and indispensable resource for addressing climate change, water and energy supply constraints, and for meeting the food needs of a growing population," said Dr Cary Fowler, Executive Director of the Global Crop Diversity Trust. 13 March 2008 (Source ICARDA)
Strengthening Partnerships with Egypt and AOAD ICARDA and the Egyptian national research program have had strong links for many years. This partnership will continue to flourish, as reiterated during recent discussions between Dr Mahmoud Solh, ICARDA Director General, and Egyptian ministers and NARS leaders. Dr Solh visited Egypt, 16-18 February, meeting national policy makers and other collaborators to discuss plans for expanding research collaboration. Ministerial meetings in Egypt. On 17 and 18 February Dr Solh met H.E. Amin Abaza, Egypt's Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation; H.E. Dr Mahmoud Abou Zeid, Minister of Water Resources & Irrigation; and senior officials from both ministries. These meetings also served to introduce Dr Fawzi Karajeh, the new Coordinator of ICARDA's Nile Valley and Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Program. Both ministers offered their best wishes – and their official support – for ICARDA’s new Strategic Plan. H.E. Abaza stressed the need for ICARDA to consider the physical, human and financial resources available in each partner country; and then use a complementary implementation approach that uses resources most efficiently. Dr Solh sought support for funding specific components of the strategy. The Minister pledged the support of his government; and also agreed to explore ways to elicit support from the Egyptian private sector to implement some elements of the strategy, and more broadly, to strengthen investment in agricultural development. Also present at the meeting were Dr Adel El-Beltagy, Chairman of the Agricultural Research & Development Council; Dr Fadia Nosseir, Supervisor, Foreign Agricultural Relations Department; Dr Saad Nassar, Advisor to the Minister; Dr Karajeh; and Dr Khaled Makkouk, former ICARDA-NVSSARP Coordinator. Agreement was reached on other important issues: • Egypt and ICARDA will work closely on the Water and Livelihood Initiative which is being developed for potential funding from IFAD. The Ministry of Agriculture & Land Reclamation will take the lead on all on-farm work; and will work with the Ministry of Water Resources & Irrigation on water issues. • Dr Sanjaya Rajaram, former Director of ICARDA's BIGM Program, will be invited to conduct a study to assess wheat production and potential in Egypt. • ARC will nominate two scientists to work at ICARDA headquarters for a 2-year period, in partnership with ICARDA scientists, on soil and water issues. This is being planned through the Young Scientists Development Program supported by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development. •Dr Karajeh will provide technical advice and assistance (when time permits) to ARC to review strategies for water resources management and improvement of water-use efficiency. H.E. Dr Mahmoud Abou Zeid, Minister of Water Resources & Irrigation, emphasized the importance of joint activities at the forthcoming World Water Council Meeting in Turkey. He invited ICARDA to make a presentation at the Arab Water Council meeting in Cairo in March 2008 to highlight its interest in hosting water projects. The Ministry is keen to continue working with ICARDA, expanding ongoing projects and initiating new ones. The latter include, for example, the Water and Livelihood Initiative and a concept project on sustainable use of shallow groundwater aquifers. They would like ICARDA to help develop non-conventional water resources and combat desertification; and to contribute to the new Arab Water Academy which is being established in Dubai by the Arab Water Council. Technical meetings with NARS. Dr Solh visited several NARS research centers for technical discussions on specific research issues. He was accompanied by Drs Karajeh and Makkouk. They held discussions with Dr Ayman Abou Hadid, ARC President, and Dr Tag Eldin Shehab Eldin, ARC Deputy President. They also met with the heads of six important national centers: the Plant Pathology; Horticulture; Soil, Water & Environment; Agricultural Economics; and Field Crops Research Institutes (all part of the ARC), and the Desert Research Centre. Various issues were discussed, including: • A collaborative program on long-term resource management trials was completed a few years ago. Considerable data have been collected. ICARDA and the Soil, Water & Environment Research Institute will now expedite analysis, reporting and wide dissemination of these data. • The collaborative Marsa Matrouh project has been an outstanding success. ICARDA will work with the Desert Research Centre and other NARS centers to organize a major international workshop in October 2008, to discuss and disseminate the project findings, and build support for a new project, possibly funded by the World Bank. AOAD meeting. Dr Solh participated in the AOAD (Arab Organization for Agricultural Development) meeting in Cairo. The meeting discussed future plans for agricultural development in the Arab world, and commended ICARDA’s contributions to this goal. Dr Solh also briefed Dr Salem Al Lozi, AOAD Director General, about ICARDA's Strategic Plan, and how it would contribute to regional efforts. He also interacted with NARS scientists and administrators, FAO staff, and representatives of other regional and international organizations. One important objective at each of these meetings was to identify research needs and funding opportunities that dovetailed with ICARDA's research portfolio. 6 March 2008 (Source ICARDA)
Mapping Poverty to Enhance Research Targeting and Impact We know poverty is everywhere - but where exactly? and how will this knowledge help? At a two-day workshop held at ICARDA headquarters last week, scientists, policy makers and development experts from six countries discussed approaches, specific tools, and implementation mechanisms for assessing and mapping poverty. The meeting provided new insights that will help target agricultural research and development interventions more effectively, and increase the impact of research on poverty alleviation. The workshop on Poverty assessment and mapping in dry areas: implications for targeting agricultural R&D investments was held at ICARDA headquarters on 25-26 February, organized jointly by ICARDA, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Program (WFP). The participants included high-level policy makers and heads of leading national research centers from six countries: Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, and Yemen. Dr Mahmattoir Zakirov, Tajikistan's Minister for Land Management, and Dr Nabi Rashid Mohammed, Syria's Deputy Minster of Agriculture, addressed the opening session and participated actively throughout. Clearly, national decision makers place great emphasis on mapping, assessments and other studies in their efforts to fight poverty. Dr Zakirov noted: "The Tajikistan government strongly supports this initiative; and will work with ICARDA to expand research collaboration on poverty mapping. We believe the results will benefit not just our country, but the entire developing world." Dr Nabi Rashid Mohammed agreed: "Agricultural research is a vital component of poverty alleviation; and poverty mapping is an area where governments welcome technical support, to strengthen poverty reduction strategies." Defining research needs Dr Kamel Shideed, Director of ICARDA's Social, Economic and Policy Research Program described the context. The majority of the world's rural poor live in dry areas, and depend mainly on agriculture. Investing in agricultural research has been shown to be the most effective way to fight poverty in these areas. New tools and research methods for mapping and assessing poverty (e.g. GIS analysis combined with household surveys) will further increase the returns to research investments, and the impact of research on poverty alleviation. "Traditional indicators of poverty focus on financial or human well-being parameters," Dr Shideed explained. "They do not adequately reflect, and may seriously underestimate, the intensity and severity of poverty in dry areas." He stressed the links between environmental poverty (water scarcity, land degradation, desertification, loss of biodiversity) and income poverty; and the need to build spatial poverty maps that are accurate but relatively inexpensive. ICARDA has used this approach in Syria, with excellent results. It is now being extended to Sudan (with similar plans for Tajikistan and Yemen) with support from national governments, IFAD and WFP. Linking research to development Discussions at the workshop focused on two issues: • Are national strategies sufficiently focused on poverty? How has agricultural R&D contributed to national poverty reduction strategies? • What are the next steps to target agricultural R&D more effectively towards the rural poor? One key recommendation: the six countries in co-operation with ICARDA will work together to establish a regional project that will conduct research on poverty mapping and assessment; create a platform for countries to share data and analytical tools; and strengthen national capacity to identify poverty 'hot spots'. The project will first be implemented at pilot sites, and be backed by an enabling policy environment. 28 February 2008 (Source ICARDA)
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