FAO's Role

FAO is the United Nations agency responsible for collecting, analysing, interpreting and disseminating information relating to food, nutrition, agriculture and related subjects. Thus, it is well placed to facilitate a global partnership in information and communication for rural development.

The Plan of Action of the World Food Summit emphasizes the critical role of information in achieving food security. The Programme addresses the five interrelated priorities of the Anti-Hunger Programme, launched by FAO and its Members in 2002 at the “World Food Summit : five years later” , which are:

• improving agricultural production in poor rural communities;



• developing and conserving natural resources;



• expanding rural infrastructure and market access;



• strengthening capacity for knowledge generation and exchange; and



• ensuring access to food for the neediest.

The Organization is undertaking this collaborative programme in response to requests by Member States. In the process, FAO is expanding its own expertise and resources related to Bridging the Rural Digital Divide. These opportunities to work with Member States are also shaping a policy framework of effective and efficient information and communication practices.

FAO has also developed the Programme within the policy environment of the World Agricultural Information Centre (WAICENT), FAO’s corporate framework which integrates and harmonizes standards, tools and procedures for managing and disseminating high-quality information products, including statistics, texts, multi-media resources and maps (www.fao.org/waicent) . WAICENT provides a platform for FAO to develop and strengthen knowledge exchange and information systems for stakeholders in Member States.