Session Documents
The Programme Committee
The Programme Committee was established as a "Co-ordinating Committee" at the 3rd Session of the FAO Conference in 1947. Its name was changed to the "Programme Committee" in 1957. The size and structure of the Programme Committee was last modified by the Conference at its 36th Session in 2009.
The Programme Committee assists the Council in carrying out its duties regarding the development and implementation of the Organization's activities. Its functions are set out in Rule XXVI.7 of the General Rules of the Organization. It holds concurrent sessions with the Finance Committee, twice per year, and holds Joint Meetings with the Finance Committee to discuss matters which require review by both Committees.
- Council of the Organization (Vol.1, Art. V.6)
- Programme Committee (Vol.1, Sec.B: GRO, Rule XXVI))
- Rules of Procedure (Vol.1, Sec.E.)
Mr Maarten de Groot (Canada)
July 2025 – June 2027
Secretary
Ms Jiani Tian
Senior Coordinator
Office of the Director-General
Membership
The Programme Committee is comprised of a Chairperson and 12 Member Nations of the Organization, elected by the Council at its session immediately following the regular session of the Conference. The Council elects the Members of the Committee as follows: i) two Member Nations from each of the following regions: Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Near East; ii) one Member Nation from each of the following regions: North America and Southwest Pacific.
Members are elected for a period of two years and they are eligible for reappointment.
Current term of office: July 2025 – June 2027
- Brazil (Ms Carla Barroso Carneiro)*
- Canada (Ms Qamer Hameed)
- Germany (Mr Heiner Thofern)
- Iraq (Mr Hazar Al Dalawi)
- Japan (Mr Shindo Mitsuaki)
- Malaysia (Ms Emelia Ling Imm Tay)
- New Zealand (Ms Jenny Reid)
- Panama (Mr Tomás Duncan Jurado)1
- South Africa (Ms Nosipho Nausca-Jean Jezile)*
- Switzerland (Ms Krisztina Bende)*
- United Republic of Tanzania (Ms Jacqueline Mbuya)
Membership Information
*Please see the list of Substitute Representatives for the current sessions.
1Mr. Tomás Duncan Jurado was designated to replace H.E. Ambassador Francisco J. Ameglio as the representative of Panama for the remainder of the term of office.
141st Session of the Programme Committee / 3–7 November 2025
- Brazil (Mr Paulo José Chiarelli V. de Azevedo)
- South Africa (Ms Jemina Kokotsi Moeng)
- Switzerland (Ms Isabelle Fragnière)
140th Session of the Programme Committee / 10–14 March 2025
- Brazil (Mr Paulo José Chiarelli V. de Azevedo)
- Canada (Ms Qamer Hameed)
- New Zealand (Ms Clara Beauvoir)
- South Africa (Mr Jaimal Anand)
- Switzerland (Ms Isabelle Fragnière)
139th Session of the Programme Committee / 11–15 November 2024
- Brazil (Mr Paulo José Chiarelli V. de Azevedo)
- South Africa (Mr Barend Jacobus Lombard)
- Switzerland (Ms Isabelle Fragnière)
138th Session of the Programme Committee / 20–24 May 2024
- Argentina (Ms Alicia Silvana Barone)
- Brazil (Mr Arnaldo de Baena Fernandes)
- South Africa (Mr Barend Jacobus Lombard)
137th Session of the Programme Committee / 6–10 November 2023
- Brazil (Mr Arnaldo de Baena Fernandes)