Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

With a mandate to eradicate food insecurity and malnutrition, eliminate poverty, and contribute to sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a major player in issues related to pesticides management and different aspects of the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. More

FAO, in particular through its Plant Production and Protection Division and its regional offices, provides support to countries to effectively implement and meet their obligations under the conventions.

The Plant Production and Protection Division

The Plant Production and Protection Division (AGP) considers reducing reliance on pesticides as a principle element of its focus areas on Sustainable Production Intensification and Pesticide Risk Reduction. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programmes have demonstrated that pesticide use often can be reduced considerably without affecting yields or farmer profits.

FAO regional and subregional offices

The 16 FAO regional and sub-regional offices play a leading role in the delivery of assistance to parties to implement the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. Each regional and sub-regional office houses a technical officer that is responsible for plant production and protection. Regional staffs represent a direct link between the regions and the Secretariat which helps to ensure that the activities are targeted to the needs of countries. They are also in a unique position to facilitate monitoring of follow-up activities with countries.

The Secretariat and FAO regional and sub-regional offices cooperate to develop and deliver technical assistance and capacity-building activities in country parties to assist with the implementation of the conventions.

FAO and UNEP regional offices Map