The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

FAO is the largest autonomous agency within the United Nations system with 169 Member Nations, a Member Organization and one Associate Member Nation. Since its inception, it has worked to alleviate poverty and hunger by promoting sustainable agricultural development, improved nutrition and the pursuit of food security.

The Organization offers direct development assistance; collects, analyses and disseminates information; provides policy and planning advice to governments; and acts as an international forum for debate on food and agriculture issues. FAO is active in land and water development, plant and animal production, forestry, fisheries, economic and social policy, investment, nutrition, food standards and commodities and trade. It also plays a major role in dealing with food and agricultural emergencies such as drought, famine and insect plagues.