Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. FAO is also a source of knowledge and information. We help developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices and ensure good nutrition for all. Since our founding in 1945, we have focused special attention on developing rural areas, home to 70 percent of the world's poor and hungry people. FAO'S ACTIVITIES COMPRISE FOUR MAIN AREAS Putting information within reach. FAO serves as a knowledge network. We use the expertise of our staff - agronomists, foresters, fisheries and livestock specialists, nutritionists, social scientists, economists, statisticians and other professionals - to collect, analyse and disseminate data that aid development. A million times a month, someone visits the FAO Internet site to consult a technical document or read about our work with farmers. We also publish hundreds of newsletters, reports and books, distribute several magazines, create numerous CD-ROMS and host dozens of electronic fora.  Sharing policy expertise. FAO lends its years of experience to member countries in devising agricultural policy, supporting planning, drafting effective legislation and creating national strategies to achieve rural development and hunger alleviation goals.   Providing a meeting place for nations. On any given day, dozens of policy-makers and experts from around the globe convene at headquarters or in our field offices to forge agreements on major food and agriculture issues. As a neutral forum, FAO provides the setting where rich and poor nations can come together to build common understanding.  Bringing knowledge to the field. Our breadth of knowledge is put to the test in thousands of field projects throughout the world. FAO mobilizes and manages millions of dollars provided by industrialized countries, development banks and other sources to make sure the projects achieve their goals. FAO provides the technical know-how and in a few cases is a limited source of funds. In crisis situations, we work side-by-side with the World Food Programme and other humanitarian agencies to protect rural livelihoods and help people rebuild their lives.  PARTNERSHIPS WITH CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has a long history of collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) at the local, regional and global levels. As part of its partnership strategy, FAO works closely with federations and associations of farmers, fisher folk, herders, pastoralists, women, youth and indigenous peoples, and NGOs to help ensure that the aspirations of the poor, marginalized and the hungry are voiced.   FAO PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR The private sector is an important ally for FAO in the fight against hunger. A thriving private sector is key to economic growth and sustainable development of agriculture, food, fisheries and forestry sectors. Moreover, much of the financing needed to attain the MDGs will have to come from private resources and investment.   FAO works with a wide range of international and national private sector partners from various parts of the agriculture and food chain. It actively promotes national policies that foster private investment and private sector growth. FAO assists Member States, especially developing countries, to strengthen the local private sector and particularly agro-industry, business and farmers’ associations.   AREAS FAO WORKS IN: AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION DEPARTMENT Animal Production and Health Division Nutrition and Consumer Protection Division Plant Production and Protection Division Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries Division Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Agricultural Development Economics Division Statistics Division Trade and Markets Division Gender, Equity and Rural Employment Division  FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE DEPARTMENT Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Economics Division Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Use and Conservation Division FORESTRY DEPARTMENT Forest Economics, Policy and Products Division Forest Assessment, Management and Conservation Division  NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT Climate, Energy and Tenure Division Land and Water Division  TECHNICAL COOPERATION DEPARTMENT Policy and Programme Development Support Division Emergency Operations and Rehabilitation Division Investment Centre Division