The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Its goal is to achieve food security for all and to make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active and healthy lives. As of 1 May 2020, the Organization has 194 Member Nations, one Member Organization (European Union), and two Associate Members (Faroe Islands and Tokelau).
FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide with its headquarters in Rome. FAO is currently present through the Representations in these countries. The main aim of the country offices is to assist governments in developing policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition; help them develop their agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and also use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable way.
Pakistan became a member of FAO on 7 September 1947. The main FAO office is located in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, while field offices operate in Quetta (Balochistan province), Hyderabad (Sindh province), Multan (South Punjab) and Peshawar (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province). In addition, there are several project offices located at the district level in all provinces to provide assistance and services to the project beneficiaries.
Over the past decade alone, FAO has implemented more than USD ¬237 million worth of projects (including emergency) in Pakistan. FAO projects are funded by the organization’s funds, bilateral and multi-lateral aid agencies and the Government of Pakistan at federal and provincial levels.
The Country Programming Framework (2023-2027) is FAO planning document which guides its actions in Pakistan. It seeks to support the 2030 Agenda through the transformation to efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for the four betters (better production, better nutrition, a better environment, a better life), and leaving no one behind. While taking into account national priorities; the CPF is anchored into the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) signed between the Government of Pakistan and UN agencies on 25 October 2022. The CPF outlines three UNSDCF priority areas that will guide FAO's partnership with the Government of Pakistan for the next five years:
1. Basic Social Services
2. Climate Change and the Environment
3. Sustainable Inclusive Economic Growth and Decent Work
FAO’s largest contribution will be in addressing the challenges of climate change and the environment in agriculture, food security and related aspects. At the policy and institutional level; it will actively contribute to protect and sustainably exploit the Indus Basin, as well as ensure the sustainability of marine ecosystems. FAO will also prioritize the promotion of sustainable rural livelihoods to support sustainable inclusive economic growth and decent work. Another significant contribution of FAO will be in strengthening food and nutrition systems to address the "leaving no one behind" agenda, including through social protection.