The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Founded in 1945, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO serves both developed and developing countries, acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy, and is a source of knowledge and information. The Organization’s mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations, and contribute to the growth of the world economy.

Founded in 1945, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO serves both developed and developing countries, acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy, and is a source of knowledge and information. The Organization’s mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations, and contribute to the growth of the world economy. Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO’s efforts, with special attention given to development in rural areas, home to 70 per cent of the world’s poor and hungry people. FAO helps developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, and ensure good nutrition for all. FAO’s work programme consists of the following areas: putting information within reach; sharing policy expertise; providing a meeting place for nations; and bringing knowledge to the field.

Energy at FAO

FAO’s work in this area focuses on the potential of bioenergy to contribute to poverty alleviation, food security, rural development as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Climate, Energy and Tenure Division of FAO serves as focal point for organizing and facilitating a multidisciplinary and global approach to bioenergy. The work on bioenergy aims to generate information in support of decision-making for sustainable bioenergy development; to build and strengthen institutional capacity at all levels; to enhance access to energy services through sustainable bioenergy systems; and to facilitate opportunities for effective international exchange and collaboration.

With an emphasis on bioenergy, services provided by FAO include:

• Development of analytical tools related to the resource assessment and use, and to how to make sound decisions on bioenergy, strategies, programmes and investments
• Generation of data and knowledge tools
• Awareness-raising and capacity-building regarding analysis, policy development and programme implementation
• Partnerships and collaboration