News archive 2011

FAO’s governing Conference has unanimously approved a regular programme budget of $1,005.6 million for the Organization for the 2012-13 biennium, equivalent to a 1.4 percent increase over the current biennium. The budget provides for full implementation of the proposed programme of work as well as the Immediate Plan of Action for FAO renewal.

FAO's member countries have officially recognized global freedom from rinderpest, the deadly cattle virus. They called on the world community to ensure that samples of rinderpest viruses and vaccines be kept under safe laboratory conditions and that rigorous standards for disease surveillance and reporting be applied.

FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf said today that the major reform of the Organization which he implemented during his tenure since 1994 has made it "leaner, more focused and fitter for the 21st Century".

The European Commission (EC), FAO, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have signed today in Rome a new Strategic Framework of Cooperation to increase the capacity of the international community to deliver effective, coordinated, timely and sustainable support to Food Security and Nutrition.

Parties to a global treaty supporting information exchange in international trade of hazardous chemicals have acted to strengthen protection of human health and the environment by expanding the exchange of critical safety information between exporting and importing States. Agreement was reached on Friday, 24 June 2011, at the conclusion of a week-long meeting held in Geneva.

FAO member nations have elected José Graziano da Silva of Brazil as the Organization's new Director-General. He will take office in January 2012, succeeding Senegal’s Jacques Diouf. The election took place on the second day of the 191 member nations biennial Conference of FAO, which also will vote on the Organization's budget for 2012-2013.

Today the FAO Conference will vote to select the Organization's next Director-General. Each of FAO's 191 Member nations gets one vote. The term of the new Director-General will start on 1 January 2012 and run through 31 July 2015.

Kofi Annan, chairman of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, warned that the current food security crisis, with almost one billion people hungry, could turn into a permanent disaster, putting in danger the lives of many millions of people as well as international cooperation.

Flanked by Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Ministers and other international dignitaries, FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf today unveiled a commemorative plaque to celebrate global freedom from rinderpest, or cattle plague, one of history's deadliest animal diseases and a long-time threat to human livelihoods and food security.

Peace in Burundi can be consolidated by stabilizing and strengthening the country’s rural communities. FAO is calling for continued support to Burundi's most vulnerable farmers, while stressing the need to develop its agricultural potential.