FAO" redirects here. For other uses, see FAO (disambiguation).
Food and Agriculture Organization
Food and Agriculture Organization
FAO emblem with its Latin motto, Fiat panis ("Let there be bread")
Abbreviation FAO, ONUAA
Formation 16 October 1945, in Quebec City, Canada
Type Specialized Agency
Legal status Active
Headquarters Palazzo FAO, Rome, Italy
Head
José Graziano da Silva (current)
Parent organization
UN Economic and Social Council
Website www.fao.org
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO; French: Organisation des Nations unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture, Italian: Organizzazione delle Nazioni Unite per l'Alimentazione e l'Agricoltura) is an agency of the United Nations that 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, and helps developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, ensuring good nutrition and food security for all. Its Latin motto, fiat panis, translates as "let there be bread". 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.