Strategic vision

The reform carried out by FAO since 1994 has provided a solid foundation from which the challenges of the new millennium can be addressed. It has produced definite priorities, decentralized operations, modernized management and streamlined procedures, while also fostering recognition - among staff, Member Nations and partners - that FAO can only achieve its mission if it maintains the foresight and flexibility to make reform an ongoing process.

Although the process of reform necessarily involved an examination of FAO's past practices and present problems, the need to build on existing strengths to address current and future challenges has always been emphasized. At the same time as implementing structural and programme reform measures, the Organization undertook a major review to identify the challenges it would be facing and to map out appropriate strategies. The results of this review are synthesized in The Strategic Framework for FAO: 2000-2015, which was approved by the 30th session of the FAO Conference in November 1999 (see the section Planning).

The Strategic Framework projects a clear vision of the direction to be taken by FAO up to 2015, including core objectives and an implementation programme. The mission spelled out for FAO is "to help build a food-secure world for present and future generations", which is fully consistent with the corporate focus that has guided the reform process. To accomplish its mission, FAO will focus on five strategies that address Members' needs.

These clearly defined strategies, which are based on the principles of interdisciplinarity and partnership, reflect the reforms carried out by FAO since 1994 and set the Organization's agenda for action and continuing reform over the next 15 years.