FAO

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is one of the specialised agencies of the United Nations. It focuses on issues concerning food security, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and rural areas. FAO’s core operations emphasise normative activities and the provision of information and advice, and its operational activities focus on the practical application of information in collaboration with other operators.

FAO has 193 member nations and one member organisation, the European Union (EU). Finland has been a member of FAO ever since the organisation was established in 1945. In Finland, FAO matters fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which also pays Finland’s annual statutory membership fee (approximately €2 million). Development funding provided by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is channelled through FAO. The purpose of the funds is to promote objectives that are important for Finnish development policy. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs also provides funding for Junior Professional Officers working at FAO and for UN volunteers.

As a rule, Finland participates in FAO’s Governing Bodies through its reference groups, such as the Nordic countries, the EU and the regional group for Europe.