FAO, Rome and FAO/RAP, Bangkok play a vital role in the genetic improvement of coconut palm and in the R&D&E on production systems, management, post-harvest, processing, storage and utilization of coconut. FAO initiatives involve development of sustainable farming systems with emphasis on yield increase, income generation poverty alleviation, livehood improvement and crop information development. Interest also is in new initiatives involving better matching of plants to land and development of crop management packages through visual publications, CD ROMs and the Web. Some of the coconut related projects has been completed and some are currently under operation. FAO looks forward to continued cooperation with APCC/IPGRI/COGENT on coconut genetic resources and coconut R&D.