FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

ORGANISATION (FAO)
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Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), oldest permanent specialized agency of the United
Nations, established on 16 October 1945, in Quebec City, Canada. The objective of FAO was
eliminating hunger and improving nutrition and standards of living by increasing agricultural
productivity.

From 18 May to 3 June 1943, representatives of 44 governments met in Hot Springs, Virginia, USA,
and committed themselves to founding a permanent organization in the fields of food and
agriculture. The formal foundation of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO of the United
Nations took place in the first session of the FAO Conference in Chateau Frontenac in Quebec,
Canada, from 16 October to 1 November 1945.

In 1951, its headquarters were moved from Washington, D.C., United States, to Rome, Italy. The
agency is directed by the Conference of Member Nations, which meets every two years to review the
work carried out by the organization and to approve a Programme of Work and Budget for the next
two-year period. The Conference elects a council of 49 member states (serve three-year rotating
terms) that acts as an interim governing body, and the Director-General, that heads the agency.

In MayJune 1905, an international conference was held in Rome, Italy, which led to the creation of
the International Institute of Agriculture. As of 8 August 2013, FAO has 194 member states, along
with the European Union (a member organization), and the Faroe Islands and Tokelau, which are
associate members.

FAO is composed of seven departments

Administration and Finance

Agriculture and Consumer Protection

Economic and Social Development

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Forestry

Natural Resource Management and Environment

Technical Cooperation

Function of FAO

The function of the FAO is to lead international efforts to defeat

hunger, contributing to an expanding world economy by promoting
sustainable rural development with emphasis on the poorest farmers,
promoting food production and self-reliance, and raising nutrition
levels.

Objectives of FAO
The main objectives of the FAO are:

Putting information within reach

Sharing policy expertise

Providing a meeting place for nations

Bringing knowledge to the field

FAO is governed by the Conference. Every two years, representatives of all members meet at the FAO
Conference. The Conference elects a smaller group of 49 member countries, known as the Council, to
serve three-year rotating terms to govern the Organizations activities. The Conference also elects a
Director-General to a six-year term.