FAO and IDF: Advancing a sustainable future for dairy
For decades, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has engaged with the International Dairy Federation (IDF) to advance a more sustainable, nutritious and resilient dairy sector through joint efforts in nutrition, livestock, climate change, food safety and the food standards development. Founded in 1903, IDF is a global non-profit and leading scientific authority in dairy, bringing together over 1000 dairy experts across 40 countries that produce two-thirds of the world’s milk production.
Shared expertise driving impact
The IDF has long served as an observer to the Codex Alimentarius Commission, providing technical inputs to several Codex committees. Through this role, IDF helps shape international standards on milk and milk products and related issues including the Codex Code of Hygienic Practice for Milk and Milk Products (CXC 57-2004).
FAO collaborated regularly with the IDF on guidance documents and emerging evidence concerning the role of dairy in global diets. The Director of the FAO Food and Nutrition Division (ESN), Lynnette Neufeld delivered pre-recorded opening remarks at the IDF Nutrition and Health Symposium 2025, which explored the role of dairy and plant-sourced food for nutrition and healthy diets.
Looking Ahead towards opportunities for deeper collaboration
Amid growing challenges in climate, nutrition, and food safety, FAO and IDF are intensifying their collaboration to advance sustainable dairy solutions. Their efforts include: a) joint research and publications on climate-smart and sustainable dairy farming practices that both enhance productivity and reduce environmental impact; b) improved strategies for food safety and nutrition through developing global guidance, standards and codes of practice across all value chain stages; c) capacity building through training programmes, technical workshops, and knowledge exchange events; and d) strategic policy dialogue and advocacy, reinforcing shared messages and influencing the global food systems dialogue.
Upcoming engagements
In 2025, global dairy stakeholders will convene at the IDF World Dairy Summit 2025 in Santiago, Chile from 20 to 23 October, and the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16) from 25 to 27 February in Rome, Italy at the FAO headquarters.
FAO’s continued engagement with associations, federations and other umbrella organizations such as the IDF illustrates how strategic partnerships drive sustainable agrifood systems transformation through inclusive and science-based policies and collective action.
