In 2000, Fahmi Bishay retired from FAO after 18 years of service. He worked as Chief of the Policy Analysis Service, Policy Analysis Division and then as Senior Advisor at the Investment Centre. He has carried out several assignments for the Organization under the Retired Experts Programme. Most recently he has worked with the Special Emergency Programmes Service of the Emergency Operations and Rehabilitation Division to prepare a major report on sustainable agricultural development in Iraq. Mr Bishay recounts his recent experiences: "Three months before I retired in 2000, I led a nine-person mission to Iraq. The report we produced was considered a landmark. But my commitment to helping the poor didn't decline with my retirement. I still feel deeply obliged to continue helping the Iraqi people especially during this period of crisis in the country. Under the Retired Experts Programme, I have been able to continue analyzing the agricultural sector in the country and have prepared the recently published document 'Towards Sustainable Agricultural Development in Iraq: The Transition from Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction to Development'. It presents a vision or road map of what the Iraqi people, FAO and the international community can do to achieve sustainable agricultural development in the country. I am currently overseeing its translation into Arabic. It has been extremely hard work, but highly satisfying. I'm very grateful to the FAO Retirees Programme and the Special Emergency Programmes Service for giving me the opportunity to follow up on work that is both useful to the Iraqi people and most gratifying for me. "I have worked as a retired expert on assignments with other divisions as well. For example, I have gone on missions to China for the FAO Special Programme for Food Security. "One of the strengths of the Programme is that it supports FAO's multidisciplinary work. Retired experts are aware of the comparative advantage of each division in the Organization. As a result, they can work in a very collaborative way. The reports produced by the retirees incorporate not just the insights based on their years of experience but also complementary views from other concerned divisions. Because of this, the quality of the Organization's work is greatly improved. "Retirement can be a difficult period in life that calls for special adjustment. The last few months in the office can be especially stressful. There's a tremendous sense of urgency to finish everything on your desk; and when it's over you can be very vulnerable psychologically. The Retired Experts Programme provides a "soft landing" to retirement. This is good for both the retirees and the Organization. It helps the Organization preserve its institutional memory, which is essential for maintaining the quality of its projects and programmes. And it makes the retirees feel that their experience is valuable and appreciated, which can be very important psychologically. "Retirees can contribute to preserving FAO's institutional memory in several ways. For example, when I'm on assignment, I make it a point, as much as possible, to work closely with younger staff members. They are ready to learn, and I consider it my responsibility to pass on my knowledge and experience to them. It makes the Organization stronger. I can also learn valuable lessons from them. "Although I'm committed to my work, I still enjoy my retirement; the company of my family, oil painting, tennis and writing my memoirs and reading. I believe it is very important for retirees to relax and enjoy themselves. Limiting the assignments to six months a year is a good idea. It is long enough to make a significant contribution to the Organization and short enough to enjoy yourself."