FAO work on trade

FAO’s work on trade agreements is focused on supporting countries’ effective formulation of trade policies and participation in trade negotiations through studies, analysis, training and experience sharing is a core activity of FAO.

Support to the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture and to the negotiations on agriculture under the Doha Round have been prominent activities in this area.

FAO also supports countries in the design and implementation of trade policies supportive to enhanced food security.

FAO Regional Initiative “Improving Agri-Food Trade and Market Integration in the Europe and Central Asia region”

To assist the countries dealing with challenges of global trade integration, FAO is conducting training activities under the Regional Initiative on Agri-Food Trade and Market Integration in the Europe and Central Asia region. The Regional Initiative focuses on strengthening national and regional capacities in Europe and Central Asia to deal effectively with the challenges posed by greater trade integration. It does this by developing better evidence on trade implications, improving the capacity of countries to use this evidence, facilitating neutral forums and dialogues on trade related agreements, and supporting the design and implementation of appropriate trade policy at country level.

The primary goal of the Regional Initiative is enhancing the agri-food trade policy environment for small and medium-sized enterprises. A better trade policy environment for modern agri-food markets requires the development of capacity for both trade agreements and domestic food safety and quality standards. The Initiative consists of three main components to support the sharing of ideas, experiences and solutions across interventions.

The Regional Initiative has three main components:

1. Implementation of trade agreements to increase access to new markets

2. Increased capacity to implement global food quality standards

3. Supportive policy environment for export diversification