Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

In December, the FAO Council approved structural adjustments to the organization’s architecture with the establishment of three new units, namely: (i) the Office for Innovation: headed by a chief scientist, which is intended to strengthen the innovative spirit of the FAO, making sure that modern science and technology are applied when facing novel situations and challenges in such areas as digital agriculture, agro-ecology, biodiversity, biotechnologies, food systems, and so on; (ii) the Office for Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries: headed by a coordinator, which is mandated to coordinate the FAO’s work in these areas, ensuring that the special needs of vulnerable populations and countries are met; and (iii) the Biodiversity Cluster: under the Climate, Biodiversity, Land and Water Department, which is mandated to up-scale biodiversity results across the FAO, coordinating efforts and maximizing synergies within the organization, and enhancing dialogue and collaboration with relevant sectors, including environment and health.