Services
The Development Law Service (LEGN) offers a comprehensive suite of legal services to FAO Members, regional organizations, and internal FAO units, aimed at supporting the development and implementation of sound legal frameworks in food, agriculture, and natural resource management.
Operating through a participatory, cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary approach, LEGN covers all areas under FAO’s mandate and boasts a network of legal specialists to provide technical expertise at national, regional and international levels.
Sound legal and institutional frameworks are essential to achieve the transformation of agrifood systems and food security. Well-designed laws, functioning and coordinated institutions and well-informed and engaged stakeholders play a crucial role.
By strengthening legal and institutional frameworks, LEGN aims to:
- Strengthen the foundation for good governance;
- Facilitate the participation of all types of stakeholders, from central governments to rural and indigenous communities;
- Protect rights and define specific responsibilities;
- Establish predictable, appropriate and fair rules for encouraging investment and facilitating the operation of markets;
- Set norms for environmentally responsible behavior.
Services in details
- National legal assistance: We provide customized legal advice and support to FAO Members and regional organizations upon request, to analyse, strengthen and develop national legislation and other regulatory instruments within areas of FAO’s mandate.
- International instruments: We assist in the analysis, development and implementation of international and regional agreements and other norm-setting instruments related to food and agriculture.
- In-depth studies: we carry out legal research and publish on pertinent issues affecting the food and agriculture sectors.
- Knowledge dissemination: We are keen to share our findings and promote our publications and other information materials to inform policy development and legal reforms globally.
- Database management: We maintain and update user-friendly legal and policy databases, such as FAOLEX, which provide access to national legislation, policies and international agreements concerning food, agriculture, and natural resources.
- Open access resources: We ensure that the databases are freely accessible to policymakers, researchers, and the public.
- Enhancing project outcomes: We lead the implementation of technical support projects to strengthen national and regional legal instruments to enhance project outcomes. We contribute our legal expertise, ensuring alignment with the Organization's Strategic Objectives and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Cutting edge: We offer advice on regulatory aspects of current and emerging themes such as climate change law, water tenure, OneHealth, anti-microbial resistance, new food products and production methods,
- Cross-cutting themes: We aim to integrate legal perspectives into broader discussions on sustainable agrifood systems transformation and human rights and how these themes can be mainstreamed.