The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized UN agency established in 1945 and headquartered in Rome. It leads international efforts to improve food security and nutrition, and supports sustainable agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and rural development. FAO provides policy advice, technical assistance, capacity building, and authoritative data and statistics to governments and stakeholders worldwide.
For the chemical and materials value chain in agriculture, FAO develops and stewardes key norms and guidance, including the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management, joint FAO/WHO scientific assessments for pesticide residues (JMPR), and support to Codex Alimentarius maximum residue limits. It hosts the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and advances soil health and nutrient management through initiatives such as the Global Soil Partnership. FAO also compiles global data on agricultural inputs (e.g., fertilizers and pesticides) via FAOSTAT and promotes practices that improve input efficiency, reduce pollution, and support safer handling and lifecycle management of agrochemicals.