FAO discussions range from refugees to intensive farming

ANTALYA, Turkey

Civil society groups met Tuesday at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) regional conference for Europe in Antalya, Turkey.

In total, some 60 people, representing farmers, pastoralists, fisheries, small holders, indigenous groups, youth groups, women’s rights organizations, and consumers discussed a wide range of issues, from refugees to intensive farming

Adnan Cobanoglu, secretary general of Farmer Unions' Confederation of Turkey (Ciftci-SEN), said that civil society organizations in the region highlighted the need for policies friendly to the family farming model.

On Wednesday, political leaders from Europe and Central Asia are expected to meet in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, in Turkey, to discuss the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In 2015, 193 countries adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at ending hunger and poverty and ensuring the sustainability of development -- goals that are at the heart of the 2030 agenda.

The agriculture ministers from 54 countries are expected to attend the three-day session of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) regional conference for Europe (ERC) which is jointly organized by the Turkish government and the FAO.