The Technical Cooperation Department is the operational arm of FAO, translating the excellence of the Organization's technical expertise in agriculture, food and nutrition, fisheries, forestry and sustainable development into practical application in the field. It responds to the needs of member countries and combines the expertise, the funding and the development partners to produce sustainable results in the fight against hunger. The Department implements and coordinates FAO's field activities in close cooperation with technical departments, decentralized offices and Member Nations and ensures that through this collaboration, FAO projects and programmes respond effectively to issues that impact on the lives of rural people.

The Technical Cooperation Department is committed to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals specifically the goal of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.