Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

FAO's activities comprise four main areas:

Putting information within reach. FAO serves as a knowledge network. We use the expertise of our staff - agronomists, foresters, fisheries and livestock specialists, nutritionists, social scientists, economists, statisticians and other professionals - to collect, analyse and disseminate data that aid development.

More than 100 million people could be lifted out of poverty if women had the same access to productive resources as men. New figures from this year's edition of the “State of Food and Agriculture” show how improving gender equality in agriculture would generate significant gains for the agricultural sector and society as a whole. Read the publication Download the executive summary See the press release View a presentation with key findings of the report Better forest management is needed to maximize water-related benefits from forests

Sharing policy expertise. FAO lends its years of experience to member countries in devising agricultural policy, supporting planning, drafting effective legislation and creating national strategies to achieve rural development and hunger alleviation goals.

Providing a meeting place for nations. On any given day, dozens of policy-makers and experts from around the globe convene at headquarters or in our field offices to forge agreements on major food and agriculture issues. As a neutral forum, FAO provides the setting where rich and poor nations can come together to build common understanding.

Bringing knowledge to the field. Our breadth of knowledge is put to the test in thousands of field projects throughout the world. FAO mobilizes and manages millions of dollars provided by industrialized countries, development banks and other sources to make sure the projects achieve their goals. FAO provides the technical know-how and in a few cases is a limited source of funds. In crisis situations, we work side-by-side with the World Food Programme and other humanitarian agencies to protect rural livelihoods and help people rebuild their lives.

What does the Brussels Liaison Office do?

Growing food in Greener Cities

By 2025, more than half of the developing world's population - an estimated 3.5 billion people - will be urban. For policy makers and urban planners in poor countries, greener cities could be the key to ensuring safe, nutritious food, sustainable livelihoods and healthier communities. The concept of "Green Cities" is usually associated with urban planning in the more developed world. But it has a special application, and significantly different social and economic dimensions in developing countries.  Read more... • Growing Greener Cities • Food for the Cities • Innovations in water management to sustain cities • Water Magagement for Urban and Peri-Urban Horticulture • Fighting Poverty and Hunger: What Role for Urban Agriculture (Policy Brief, August 2010)

FAO Dimitra project: Gender, rural women and development

Dimitra is a participatory information and communication project which contributes to improving the visibility of rural populations, women in particular. The goal of Dimitra is to highlight the role of women and men as producers, so that their respective interests are better taken into consideration and they can fully participate in the rural development of their communities and countries. The project financed by the Belgian Government, builds the capacities of rural populations, women in particular, through the dissemination of information and the exchange of experiences. Location: The Dimitra project is based at the King Baudoin Foundation: Eliane Najros (Coordinator) 21, rue Bréderode 1000- Brussels Tel: +32 2 5490310 Fax: +32 2 549 0314 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it http://www.fao.org/dimitra/

• Strengthens the Agency’s visibility, interaction and advocacy with key partners, including the European Union institutions (Commission, Parliament, Council) and the Permanent Representations of the EU Member States, the ACP Secretariat and their Permanent Representations Member States, NGOs, and Academic institutions based in the country. The Agency works in close collaboration with the United Nations System present in Brussels.
• Policy advice and exchange of information in area of relevance for the Organization related to agriculture, food security, humanitarian aid, development, consumer protection, fishery, forestry.
• Give advice to FAO Headquarters on EU policies in the areas of development, agriculture and consumer protection which might have potential implications for FAO’s field activities.

FAO Website: www.fao.org

Partnership FAO-EU:  http://www.fao.org/europeanunion/en/

Turning the tide of rising hunger
The European Union Food Facility is the EU's € 1 billion response to the 2007-2008 food price crisis. With 228 million euro being channeled into FAO projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America, 1.8 million families will receive assistance over two years. 

Sign the petition launched by FAO to end hunger in the world: http://www.1billionhungry.org/

Contact information in Brussels:

FAO Liaison Office Brussels:
WTC III
30, Boulevard Simon Bolivar (20th floor)
B- 1000- Brussels
Tel: +32 2 20 40 740
Fax: +32 2 2038589
Director: Antonio Tavares 
Tel: +32 2 2040745