What it does Advice to governments Development assistance Information Neutral forum Special activities and programmes From the Director-General Employment opportunities How to contact FAO FAO is governed by the Conference of member nations , which meets every two years to review the work carried out by the Organization and approve a Programme of Work and Budget for the next biennium. The Conference elects a Council of 49 Member Nations to act as an interim governing body.
Members serve three-year, rotating terms.
The Conference also elects the Director-General to head the agency. The Regular Programme covers internal operations, including support for fieldwork, advice to governments on policy and planning, and a wide range of development projects. It is financed by member countries, who contribute according to levels set by the Conference. The Field Programme implements FAO's development strategies, providing assistance mainly through projects that are usually undertaken in cooperation with national governments and other agencies. In 1999, approximately 77 percent of Field Programme finances came from national trust funds and 9 percent from the United Nations Development Programme.